The tiny electronic devices remain a vital means of communication in some areas - such as health care and emergency services, thanks to their durability and long battery life
Cellular signals have a hard time penetrating dense concrete buildings and underground structures. That's why doctors still use them, even in the States.
I was thinking it had more to do with the use of the 900MHz band which has advantages in the penetration of certain materials compared to higher frequencies but I'm not an expert.