800 does penetrate better than 1900. However, I used to live in an adobe building. It didn't like 850 nor 1900. I had to go to a window with either. Some building types are just bad for RF no matter what. Brick/Block buildings, especially if rebar is used in the cells, is pretty tough on all RF. It just really depends on a lot of factors. In building reception is always highly variable. 1900 near a tower will be better than 800 far from a tower inside a building, etc., etc.
Robert