Eli5:Why is it that cell phones , with their tiny antenaes are able to download files at LTE speeds inside concrete buildings from cell towers kilometers away yet getting wifi to work behind a corner is an exercise in frustration?
In: 2387
It is not that hard to get wifi to work over several kilometers either, just as long as there is no corners. Actually the longer distances allow the signals to go parallel to the walls so they can go through the least amount of concrete and rebar as possible. In addition to this most taller buildings have the majority of concrete and rebar in its center columns thus allowing signals through the outer walls but not from one side of the building to the next. If you walk around the corner of the building you are probably no longer connected to the same cell tower. People do not notice this because there are way more cell towers then most are aware of, they hide them well. While a typical office building need about four wifi access points per floor to provide good access it typically connects to over 10 cell towers within half a kilometer radius. So no matter where you are in relation to the columns of the building you are likely in sight of one of them.
Latest Answers