Low vs. high frequency RF and walls

[danrok]

Do low frequency RF signals, say 800 Mhz, offer any significant advantage over higher frequencies, say 1600 Mhz?

In relation to mobile phones, and concrete walls?

In practice would you get a better signal indoors, in a substantial concrete building?

[Gizmo]

In free space, lower frequencies offer better range than higher frequencies at the same transmission power level. However, higher frequencies offer more information capacity and cleaner separation between channels. In addition, higher frequencies can generally penetrate openings in structures more easily, although whether or not that is a factor for a given structure depends highly on the design and construction material of the structure. Large windows and doors will allow lower frequencies to enter, while high frequencies can enter through smaller apertures. On the other hand, high frequencies will tend to be attenuated more by concrete and foil-faced insulation products, and will also be more affected by weather (snow, rain) than low frequencies.

[Aedan]

In my limited real world experience of mobile/cell phones in the UK, the 900MHz band seems to be better at getting inside buildings than the higher 1800MHz band.