Amazon Reportedly Testing New Wireless Network Technology

According to a recent report from Bloomberg, web juggernaut Amazon is reportedly testing the capabilities of a new wireless network in development at the company. The news comes from “people with knowledge on the matter,” says Bloomberg.

The network, which was said to be in testing in Cupertino, California, used a spectrum signal controlled by satellite company Globalstar, and would be used to help Amazon customers, in some way, connect to the Internet.

At this point, no other details regarding the actual network, its direct affiliation with Amazon, or the people involved, have surfaced. What remains is the simple question: what is it going to be used for, if it’s actually developed further?

Given Amazon’s track record with its popular Kindle book-reading device, which includes free connection to roaming wireless connections for downloading books, the network could be being manufactured to serve as the company’s proprietary network for servicing Kindle owners. However, ties between Amazon and network companies like Sprint and AT&T over the years for that particular line of service have been tight-knit, so it might not be an outright replacement. Not now, anyway.

Conversely, the network could also be used to bolster Amazon’s video streaming capabilities, as the company has become more and more aggressive in its push to nudge its way into the online video market. With movie rentals becoming more popular as Amazon increases their accessibility and worth to consumers, building-out a large Internet infrastructure to support the product wouldn’t be an off-base move.

Or, heck, maybe Amazon wants to make an all-wireless product to compete with Google Fiber. Who knows!

As of now, we’re strapped for details. However, when and if Amazon does make an announcement regarding these new developments (or if another leak occurs), we’ll be first to let you know.