You're not crazy, indoor connectivity is getting worse. Here's why.
April, 2025
Indoor connectivity has become a growing frustration for property owners, tenants, and customers alike. Many users experience a significant drop in signal the moment they walk inside a building—whether it’s a retail store, residential tower, or commercial office space. So what’s causing this growing problem? The truth is, a mix of modern construction practices, evolving mobile technology, and uneven infrastructure investment has made strong indoor coverage harder to come by.
Let’s break down the key reasons why indoor connectivity is declining—and how innovative solutions can help turn the tide.
1. 5G’s Higher Frequencies Have a Harder Time Getting Indoors
5G is hailed for its high speeds and low latency, but it comes with trade-offs. Many 5G deployments operate on mid-band or millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, which have shorter wavelengths than those used for 4G. While these higher bands enable faster data transmission, they struggle to penetrate physical barriers like walls, glass, and concrete.
In other words, the very thing that makes 5G powerful—its speed—is also what makes it more fragile indoors. This is especially problematic for businesses or venues that rely on strong signal performance across large interior spaces[1].
2. Modern Building Materials Block Wireless Signals
Energy-efficient construction is great for sustainability, but not so great for signal strength. Materials like Low-E (low emissivity) glass, concrete with steel reinforcement, metalized insulation, and even window tinting act as physical barriers that block or severely degrade wireless signals.
These materials are excellent at reflecting heat and reducing energy loss, but they also reflect radio waves—including those used by cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Even a building with many windows may have poor indoor coverage because of the glass itself[2].
3. Carriers Focus on Outdoor, Not Indoor Coverage
Historically, mobile networks have been designed with an “outside-in” approach. That means carriers install macro towers and outdoor antennas to cover wide areas, assuming signals will also reach indoor users. But with the signal interference caused by modern materials and the rise in data-hungry applications, this approach is no longer sufficient.
Without additional investment in indoor-specific infrastructure like small-cell antennas or distributed antenna systems (DAS), the signal often dies once it reaches the building envelope[3].
4. Limited Indoor Infrastructure Deployment
Many carriers are hesitant to deploy indoor infrastructure unless the space meets specific commercial thresholds. If a building doesn’t see enough foot traffic or isn’t a priority location, it’s unlikely to receive an indoor solution from a major network provider.
Furthermore, even when a venue does qualify, the cost and complexity of negotiating contracts, securing permits, and coordinating installation across multiple carriers can slow or prevent deployment[4]. This leaves many buildings—especially older or mid-tier commercial spaces—without adequate coverage.
5. Increasing Network Congestion Indoors
The number of connected devices is skyrocketing. From smartphones and tablets to security cameras, IoT sensors, and smart lighting systems, today’s buildings are full of devices competing for bandwidth. This increase in data usage can lead to localized congestion, especially in buildings that rely solely on macro networks without additional infrastructure.
The result? Slower speeds, dropped calls, and spotty service when demand peaks—exactly when people need connectivity most[5].
How to Fix It: Targeted Indoor Connectivity Solutions
Improving indoor connectivity isn’t always about expensive overhauls or complex installations. In many cases, it’s about making smarter use of what’s already there. Solutions include:
- Carrier Offload via Wi-Fi: Redirect mobile user traffic through a venue’s Wi-Fi network, improving coverage and reducing strain on cellular networks.
- Neutral-Host Wi-Fi Models: Provide open access for multiple carriers to serve users through a single network, boosting efficiency and coverage.
- Smart Infrastructure Deployment: For venues without existing Wi-Fi, new networks can be installed affordably and rapidly to support coverage needs.
LongFi Solutions: Solving Indoor Coverage Without the Complexity
At LongFi Solutions, we help property owners turn poor indoor connectivity into an opportunity. Our approach is simple and cost-effective: we leverage your existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to offload mobile traffic and improve coverage.
And if you don’t already have enterprise-grade Wi-Fi? We’ll deploy it at no cost to you.
This means:
- No need for expensive DAS or small-cell hardware
- No complicated contracts with carriers
- No upfront costs or operational headaches
Instead, you get a stronger indoor signal, happier tenants or customers, and a new revenue stream generated through carrier partnerships. Whether you’re operating a retail location, residential building, or entertainment venue, LongFi makes it easy to boost indoor connectivity—without lifting a finger.
Let’s create a better-connected experience for your property—starting today.
Resources
[1] Recognizing the Challenges of Indoor 5G Network Deployment – LitePoint
[2] Building Materials That Kill Your Cell Signal – weBoost
[3] Indoor 5G and How to Solve It – Light Reading
[4] Re-thinking the Approach to 5G Indoor Coverage – Analysys Mason
[5] Hidden Challenges to 5G Rollout – SICAP WDS