[ispotato]

If a device is still pending approval by the RF spectrum regulator in a country, they're required to not use those channels by law. Software blocks mean that they can sell a device that's hardware capable before regulatory approval, and then unlock the functionality later. It allows them to ship the same hardware globally but comply with differing laws in different regions, and it's far from just google that does this. Every major wireless access point vendor, for example, will require you to identify the country in which you are operating and software lock which channels you are allowed to use, alongside other limitations like transmit power.