Amazon is reportedly seeking the permission of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to run a secret wireless communication system tests. The tests will reportedly be conducted in rural Washington area. The technology is likely to involve fixed base station as well as mobile devices.

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According to Business Insider, the filing made by the company does not specifically mention the purpose of these tests. However, the test will use prototypes designed to support "innovative communications capabilities and functionalities."

The filing listed Neil Woodward, a retired NASA astronaut, as the main contact. Woodward joined Amazon in 2008. He is believed to be involved with Amazon's drone delivery program, Prime Air.

"These tests would require low power consumption, associated indoor phone units, and fixed base temporary transmitters," the filing stated. The test run will first be conducted indoors at the company's Seattle headquarters. Later, the tests will be conducted outdoors near Amazon's customer service facility in Kennewick, near Seattle.

Amazon is looking to use the FCC's experimental authority to conduct these tests. Google and Facebook have used this authority to carry out various experiments. The proposed tests will use three fixed transmitters and ten mobile units.

Amazon is picking up the pace with regard to drones and wireless communication technology. The company recently carried out its drone delivery test run in the UK. Amazon chose the UK over the US as the latter institutes more stringent requirements with regard to the drone operations.

US regulators require a certified pilot to carry out drone tests. The regulations also require the certified pilot to keep a visual line of sight to the drone. Amazon has other drone development centers in countries such as Israel and Austria.

Amazon obtained US approval for its drone tests in March 2015. It conducted the tests in 2015 in Snoqualmie, a rural area close to Seattle.