Request for Confidential Treatment and Exhibit PUBLIC

0622-EX-ST-2018 Text Documents

Google

2018-04-05ELS_207591

                                                                   PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                          Google
                                                                        File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018


Date:          April 5, 2018

Subject:       Public and Redacted Versions of Request for Confidential Treatment and
               Complementary Exhibit



To Whom It May Concern:

        Google, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 and Sections 0.457 and 0.459 of the Commission's
Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.457, 0.459, hereby requests that certain information complementary to its
above-referenced application for Special Temporary Authority (STA) be treated as confidential
and not subject to public inspection. The designated information constitutes confidential and
proprietary information that, if subject to public disclosure, would cause significant commercial,
economic, and competitive harm. As described below, Google’s request satisfies the standards
for grant of such requests set forth in Sections 0.457 and 0.459 of the Commission’s Rules.

        In accordance with Section 0.459(b) and in support of this request, Google provides the
following information:


1.      Identification of the Information for Which Confidential Treatment is Sought:

       Google’s request for confidential treatment is limited to the following information that
has been redacted from the STA and complementary exhibit (Exhibit). Google does not seek to
withhold from public inspection information necessary for interference mitigation, including
applicant name, contact information, test location, frequency, output power, effective radiated
power, emission characteristics and modulation.

        Exhibit - Special Temporary Authority Justification:

        Google requests confidential treatment of the following underlined text that contains
        confidential and proprietary information regarding the proposed tests/experiments:

           Narrative Statement

                  Consistent with the standards set forth in Section 5.61 of the Federal
           Communications Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s) Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 5.61,
           Google outlines below its need for the requested Special Temporary Authority (STA)
           and the compelling reasons why this STA should be granted expeditiously.

                   Google requests that the STA be granted for a period of 180 days. Consistent
           with Call Sign WL9XFJ (File No. 1429-EX-ST-2017), the STA is needed to continue to
           test the transmission of broadband data from vehicles in Plano and Fort Worth,
           Texas, to transportable/fixed base stations located nearby.


                                                         Request for Confidential Treatment - Page 1


                                                            PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                   Google
                                                                 File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018


        As noted, Google conducted similar tests in Plano and Fort Worth, Texas,
under a grant of STA, and no disruptions were noted. Should any interference be
reported, the proposed tests will cease immediately unless and until the interference
is resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant. Based on the foregoing, Google
requests approval of this application.

    Legal Contact                                    Technical Contact
    Michael R. Purdy                                 Dr. Andrew Clegg
    Senior Counsel                                   1875 Explorer Street, 10th Floor
    25 Massachusetts Avenue NW, 9th Floor            Reston, VA 20190
    Washington, DC 20001                             (202) 370-5644
    mroypurdy@google.com                             aclegg@google.com


Transmitter Equipment and Station Details
 Radio Information

    Equipment                 [REDACTED]
    Quantity                  [REDACTED]
    Areas of Operation        Operation not to exceed 3 km from the following
                              geographic centerpoints:

                                    ●   33° 00’ 33” N, 96° 45’ 34” W
                                    ●   33° 02’ 14” N, 97° 16’ 56” W

    Frequency                           Low (MHz)                      High (MHz)
    [REDACTED]                             3400                           3600

 Antenna Details

    Antennas                            [REDACTED]
    Type                                Directional panels & omnidirectional verticals
    Gain                                0 - 17 dBi
    Beam Width at Half-Power Point 30 - 360
    Orientation in Horizontal Plane     Various (0-360 azimuth)
    Orientation in Vertical Plane       Various (+10 to -45)




                                               Request for Confidential Treatment - Page 2


                                                                     PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                          Google
                                                                        File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018


             Transmitter #1: Transportable/Fixed

               Radio              Modulation    Emission Bandwidth         Max         Max ERP
                                               Designator  (MHz)          Output        (kW)1
                                                                         Power (W)
               [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM) 10M0W7D             10           20         0.122
               [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM) 20M0W7D             20           40         0.244
               [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM) 40M0W7D             40           80         0.487
               [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM) 80M0W7D             80          160         0.976

             Transmitter #2: Mobile

               Radio              Modulation     Emission Bandwidth         Max     Max ERP
                                                Designator  (MHz)          Output    (kW)2
                                                                          Power (W)
               [REDACTED]         LTE (OFDM)     10M0F9W          10           2         0.0012
               [REDACTED]         LTE (OFDM)     20M0F9W          20           4         0.0024
               [REDACTED]         LTE (OFDM)     40M0F9W          40           8         0.0049
               [REDACTED]         LTE (OFDM)     80M0F9W          80          16         0.0098



2.     Identification of the Commission proceeding in which the information was submitted or
       a description of the circumstances giving rise to the submission.

       The above-referenced Exhibit was submitted to the Commission in support of the STA.
The Exhibit was filed with the Office of Engineering and Technology on April 5, 2018. For
additional information, please see File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018.


3.     Explanation of the degree to which the information is commercial or financial or
       contains a trade secret or is privileged.

        The information requested to be kept confidential has significant commercial value. The
details of the STA tests/experiments may include trade secret information. The Commission




1 Because the proposed testing will not involve using the maximum output power combined with the
maximum antenna gain, the maximum ERP for the transportable/fixed transmitter was calculated based
on the maximum output power and a 10 dBi antenna gain.
2 The maximum ERP for the mobile transmitter was calculated based on no antenna gain (0 dBi).

                                                         Request for Confidential Treatment - Page 3


                                                                        PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                               Google
                                                                             File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018

                                                                                  3
has clarified that confidential treatment should be afforded to trade secrets. Google’s
tests/experiments and proprietary wireless applications using particular radio frequency
equipment represent a “secret commercially valuable plan” within the meaning of a trade secret
as recognized by the Commission.

        In addition, agreements entered into between Google and any parties that provided
equipment for testing or will provide analysis of test results require that confidential information
of the parties be held in strict confidence, and that such information not be disclosed to any
third party (with limited exceptions not applicable to this request). The manufacturer name and
model number constitutes confidential trade secrets, technical information, and business
information under the agreements.


4.      Explanation of the degree to which the information concerns a service that is
        competitive.

       The services and technologies that are the subject of this STA have not yet been fully
developed but are expected to lead to material developments in markets subject to competition
from multiple U.S. and non-U.S. third parties.


5.      Explanation of how disclosure of the information could result in substantial competitive
        harm.

        The technology under development is highly sensitive and confidential in nature. The
release of such information would provide valuable insight into Google’s technology innovations
and potential business plans and strategies. Public disclosure would jeopardize the value of the
technology under examination by enabling others to utilize Google’s information to develop
similar products in a similar time frame.


6.      Identification of any measures taken by the requesting party to prevent unauthorized
        disclosure.

        Google has taken steps to keep confidential the information set forth in the confidential
Exhibit by limiting the number of people involved in the tests/experiments to only those on a
“need to know” basis, and by requiring any third parties involved in the testing process to
execute robust nondisclosure agreements.


7.      Identification of whether the information is available to the public and the extent of any
        previous disclosures of the information to any third parties.
3 Examination of Current Policy Concerning the Treatment of Confidential Information Submitted to the
Commission, Report and Order, GC Docket No. 96-55, at para. 3, (released Aug. 4, 1998) (defining “trade
secrets” for purpose of Commission rules on confidential treatment).
                                                             Request for Confidential Treatment - Page 4


                                                                    PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                           Google
                                                                         File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018


       The information contained in the confidential Exhibit is not available to the public, and
has only been disclosed to third parties pursuant to restrictive safeguards.

         Google voluntarily provides the information to the Commission at this time with the
expectation that it will be treated confidentially in accordance with the Commission's rules. See
Critical Mass Energy Project v. Nuclear Regulatory Comm’n, 975 F.2d 871, 879 (D.C. Cir. 1992)
(commercial information provided on a voluntary basis “is ‘confidential’ for the purpose of
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Exemption 4 if it is of a kind that would customarily not be
released to the public by the person from whom it was obtained.”).


8.     Justification of the requested period of confidentiality.

        Google expects that confidential treatment will be necessary for the length of the
proposed experiment and thereafter in order to protect its evolving business and technology
strategies.


9.     Any other information that would be useful in assessing whether this request should be
       submitted.

       The information subject to this request for confidentiality should not be made available
for public disclosure at any time. There is nothing material that public review of this information
would add to the Commission’s analysis of Google’s request for an experimental authorization.

       Moreover, public disclosure of the sensitive information in the confidential Exhibit to the
STA after the Commission has ruled on the Request for Confidentiality is not necessary for the
Commission to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities.

       Consistent with 47 C.F.R. § 0.459(d)(l), Google requests notification if release of the
information subject to this request is requested pursuant to the FOIA or otherwise, so that
Google may have an opportunity to oppose grant of any such request.

Sincerely yours,




Michael R. Purdy




                                                          Request for Confidential Treatment - Page 5


                                                                  PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                           Google
                                                                         File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018


                     EXHIBIT - SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY JUSTIFICATION

Narrative Statement

        Consistent with the standards set forth in Section 5.61 of the Federal Communications
Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s) Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 5.61, Google outlines below its need
for the requested Special Temporary Authority (STA) and the compelling reasons why this STA
should be granted expeditiously.

       Google requests that the STA be granted for a period of 180 days. Consistent with Call
Sign WL9XFJ (File No. 1429-EX-ST-2017), the STA is needed to continue to test the transmission
of broadband data from vehicles in Plano and Fort Worth, Texas, to transportable/fixed base
stations located nearby.

        As noted, Google conducted similar tests in Plano and Fort Worth, Texas, under a grant
of STA, and no disruptions were noted. Should any interference be reported, the proposed tests
will cease immediately unless and until the interference is resolved to the satisfaction of the
complainant. Based on the foregoing, Google requests approval of this application.

    Legal Contact                                  Technical Contact
    Michael R. Purdy                               Dr. Andrew Clegg
    Senior Counsel                                 1875 Explorer Street, 10th Floor
    25 Massachusetts Avenue NW, 9th Floor          Reston, VA 20190
    Washington, DC 20001                           (202) 370-5644
    mroypurdy@google.com                           aclegg@google.com



Transmitter Equipment and Station Details
 Radio Information

    Equipment                      [REDACTED]
    Quantity                       [REDACTED]
    Areas of Operation             Operation not to exceed 3 km from the following geographic
                                   centerpoints:

                                      ●   33° 00’ 33” N, 96° 45’ 34” W
                                      ●   33° 02’ 14” N, 97° 16’ 56” W



    Frequency                                                Low (MHz)            High (MHz)
    [REDACTED]                                                  3400                  3600



                                                                          STA Justification - Page 1


                                                                      PUBLIC REDACTED VERSION

                                                                                           Google
                                                                         File No. 0622-EX-ST-2018


    Antenna Details

      Antennas                              [REDACTED]
      Type                                  Directional panels & omnidirectional verticals
      Gain                                  0 - 17 dBi
      Beam Width at Half-Power Point        30 - 360
      Orientation in Horizontal Plane       Various (0-360 azimuth)
      Orientation in Vertical Plane         Various (+10 to -45)

    Transmitter #1: Transportable/Fixed

      Radio             Modulation       Emission        Bandwidth    Max Output      Max ERP
                                        Designator         (MHz)      Power (W)        (kW)1
      [REDACTED]       LTE (OFDM)       10M0W7D             10            20            0.122
      [REDACTED]       LTE (OFDM)       20M0W7D             20            40            0.244
      [REDACTED]       LTE (OFDM)       40M0W7D             40            80            0.487
      [REDACTED]       LTE (OFDM)       80M0W7D             80           160            0.976

    Transmitter #2: Mobile

      Radio             Modulation       Emission        Bandwidth    Max Output      Max ERP
                                        Designator         (MHz)      Power (W)        (kW)2
      [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM)        10M0F9W           10             2            0.0012
      [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM)        20M0F9W           20             4            0.0024
      [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM)        40M0F9W           40             8            0.0049
      [REDACTED]        LTE (OFDM)        80M0F9W           80            16            0.0098




1 Because the proposed testing will not involve using the maximum output power combined with the
maximum antenna gain, the maximum ERP for the transportable/fixed transmitter was calculated based
on the maximum output power and a 10 dBi antenna gain.
2 The maximum ERP for the mobile transmitter was calculated based on no antenna gain (0 dBi).

                                                                           STA Justification - Page 2



Document Created: 2018-12-07 01:45:25
Document Modified: 2018-12-07 01:45:25

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