My cell (verizon) doesn't work in my own house unless I walk down to the end of the driveway, or go into the backyard. I do caryy mine when I backpack though it is in airplane mode to save battery. I don't carry it for communication, as the places i go also do not have coverage. I carry it as my camera, and digital map set, notebook. I have turned on the GPS with the backcountry navigator app just to mark waypoints when I find something intriguing and want to remember the exact spot.