Why do we lose signal in some buildings?

[Paddle1]

They can't.

Hotels do this so you have to buy their wifi.

That isn't allowed.

 

[HankHowdy]

That isn't allowed.

Lol.......

 

[Menel]

Hotels do this so you have to buy their wifi.

I call farse.

This is illegal.

Report them. Serious public safety issues. Blocks signals used by police, medical professionals on call, 911, etc etc.

It's also probable that their walls, due to extreme insulation for noise deadening to isolate rooms, greatly attenuates cellular signals.

 

[Interstella5555]

Hotels do this so you have to buy their wifi.

No, they don't.

 

[takeshi74]

I pretty much know why (in a way) but... why? I'm thinking the steel that some buildings are constructed of block the signal. But that doesn't happen in all buildings. Like my daughter's school, I have no signal at all. And I was in a hospital today. Nothing. But I've been in other hospitals and schools and have had full signal. And that signal wasn't WiFi. Why is that?

Most of this is all covered already (not just in this thread but plenty of prior threads as well). Buildings aren't all built identically. They don't use the same materials. They don't have the same specs (wall thickness, etc).

On top of that, coverage varies. Buildings aren't all the same distance from towers or around the same number of towers. Additionally, signals of different frequencies are also attenuated differently.

It also makes a difference if you're below ground or in a taller building. Several feet of ground between you and the tower will certainly make a difference. For taller buildings, cell towers are generally set up to spread their signal horizontally. In one of our buildings we had at&t install a microcell for our offices on the 31st through 36th floors.

Given all that it should be no surprise that different buildings attenuate signals differently.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I don't think that's what he means. It appears to me he is asking so he can have knowledge and understanding of the reasons why he either has signal in a place or doesn't. There's no harm in asking.

I was going to post a similar answer. I encourage people to ask questions to increase their knowledge.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I have installed in building cell systems in NYC for buildings with poor cell signal.

A pic of the actual antenna

Very cool

1. What are the devices labeled with "Andrew"? Femtocells? Picocells?
2. What does the fiber connect to, the building's network or a connection directly to the cell provider?
3. Approximately How much area does that antenna cover?
4. How many antennas does each device support?

Thanks!

 

[LadyX]

Why do we lose signal in some buildings?

When I'm at a relative's house , my iPhone always loses signal reception. So I have to use Wi-Fi when I'm there or step out; when I leave her house, the signal comes back instantly. It's because her house is made of thick concrete and steel so it makes it hard for a signal to pass through.