AT&T labs is asking the FCC for an experimental license to test new fixed, non-line-of-sight wireless broadband service in the 3.5 GHz band. The application, spotted by Fierce Wireless, notes that AT&T will be conducting tests on a variety of wireless hardware solutions with integrated adaptive antennas in the 3.5 GHz range. According to the filing, the tests are slated to take place in Cumming, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. The trial will be conducted for a period of about twelve months.

AT&T's move comes on the heels of an FCC policy action a year ago to make 150 MHz of spectrum available for wireless broadband. The FCC dubs this particular swath of spectrum, which was until now used by the Department of Defense, the "innovation band" for its potential as an alternative broadband delivery method. It's also dubbed the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band.

"The Citizens Broadband Radio Service is governed by a three-tiered spectrum authorization framework to accommodate a variety of commercial uses on a shared basis with incumbent federal and non-federal users of the band," noted the FCC at the time. "Access and operations will be managed by a dynamic spectrum access system, conceptually similar to the databases used to manage Television White Spaces devices."

AT&T's not alone in conducting experimental tests in the 3.5 GHz band. Google has also applied for and received permission to conduct similar technology trials around Kansas City. AT&T says its solution will make use of 12 pound radio-units housed in a weather-proof enclosure. Each radio will use a digitally modulated 10 MHz, 20 MHz or 40 MHz channel in the 3.5 GHz band, notes the application.

"We hope to evaluate various performance characteristics of the system in a real world Rural/Suburban outdoor environment,” the application indicates. “Performance characteristics such as data throughput, latency, error rates, availability and susceptibility to and generation of self and external interference will be investigated."