Why does GPS work when underground and under big buildings but radio signals, Wi-Fi, and cell phone signals struggle?

Question

Why does GPS work when underground and under big buildings but radio signals, Wi-Fi, and cell phone signals struggle?

In: 4773

Answer 1

A lot like saying all internet is “wifi”, this is conflating GPS with broader location finding technologies.

GPS is one specific method used to find a device’s location, and it does not work underground, or even when standing next to tall buildings/mountains, etc.

As other commenters have pointed out, GPS is not our only location finding technology. Oftentimes, these technologies work together to cover up each others’ faults.