Knowledge Base

Why is my next-door neighbor getting cell signal but I’m not?

Assuming that, by “next-door neighbor,” you’re referring to a suburban neighborhood, not a rural neighbor a mile up the road, there are several reasons why this could be a case. Two of the biggest are location and building materials.

Location: Building structures or terrain may be blocking cell signal from reaching your home, while your neighbor may have a clear line of sight to the cell tower. A difference in elevation may also be the culprit—if your neighbor is at the top of the hill, and you’re downhill from her, she might be getting clear signal from a tower on the opposite side of the hill from where your home sits.

Building materials: Certain types of building materials block cellular signals more than others. A metal roof will reflect cell signals much more than wood or concrete shingles. Walls made of plaster with wire mesh block cellular frequencies more than drywall. And the metal in low-e glass and window tints that prevent UV and infrared (heat energy) from getting into your home also inhibit radio waves, including those used by cellular devices. If your home uses any of these materials, and your neighbor’s home doesn’t, that could be the reason your inside cell reception is not as good as his.