My flat is completely shielded somehow, without the microcell I only get cell connection by opening the windows. Windows closed, if more than a meter from the window there’s basically no signal.
And like GP the nearest grocery has basically no signal inside the store, it only picks up beyond the checkout lanes.
Insulating windows often have metallic films that can block radio signals. Combined with the tendency to use metallic films for insulation and metallic meshes for support means that modern buildings are often Faraday cages.
Which is sort of ironic in that modern communications is dependent on radio. Older buildings tend to be better for cell reception.
> Insulating windows often have metallic films that can block radio signals.
Yep that's pretty much what I inferred at the time.
It was pretty frustrating back then though, good thing I moved in in late summer and opening the windows any time I needed to do admin (either online or by phone) was fine, would have been rather annoying in winter.
> Which is sort of ironic in that modern communications is dependent on radio. Older buildings tend to be better for cell reception.
Indeed, and moving from an older building (where reception had never been any issue) is exactly what I was doing.
Of course, when you get to buildings that are old enough, you have several layers of solid material (brick/stone) on the exterior, as well as things like double-thickness brick interior walls as well. This doesn't do RF propagation any favors, either.
My home was built in 1830 and 2.4Ghz wifi is strictly line of sight within the building, and cellular phones must be kept near windows on the side of the building facing the nearest cell tower to function.
And this isn't in a rural area either, this is life in a brownstone in the middle of a large city...
And like GP the nearest grocery has basically no signal inside the store, it only picks up beyond the checkout lanes.