At Geotab Connect 2026, one of the more practical discussions during the interview with the executive team focused on a challenge Australian and regional fleets understand well: connectivity beyond metropolitan coverage.
For fleets operating in mining, utilities, agriculture and long-haul transport, the issue isn’t whether telematics works — it’s whether it works everywhere the vehicle goes.
Speaking at the event, Sabina Martin, VP Product Management at Geotab, acknowledged the operational complexity of remote environments.
“There’s a lot of complexities when you’re talking about rural or remote areas.”
For many fleets, particularly in Australia and parts of North America, large sections of operational territory fall outside reliable cellular coverage. That creates blind spots in tracking, safety monitoring and asset visibility.
Beyond cellular: expanding coverage options
During the discussion, Martin explained that addressing these gaps requires a combination of approaches rather than a single solution.
“You might have Wi-Fi on site, you might have satellite, you might have cellular — it really depends on the environment.”
This layered approach reflects the reality of regional fleet operations. A vehicle might travel through urban areas with strong 4G/5G coverage, move into remote highways with patchy service, then operate on a mine site using private Wi-Fi infrastructure.
For Fleet Managers, that variability affects more than just location tracking. It influences:
- Real-time safety alerts
- Video event uploads
- Predictive maintenance signals
- Compliance monitoring
- Asset tracking beyond the vehicle
The push toward satellite integration
Martin also addressed the growing interest in direct-to-satellite connectivity for fleet devices.
“We’re always looking at how we can leverage satellite connectivity where it makes sense for customers.”
However, she was clear that integration must align with practical deployment models.
“It has to work within the ecosystem — with carriers, with infrastructure — so that it’s seamless for the fleet.”
In other words, satellite connectivity is not simply a hardware upgrade. It requires coordination across network providers, device capabilities and backend systems.
For regional fleets, this matters because reliability is tied directly to safety and operational risk. If a vehicle operating hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town experiences a breakdown or safety event, delayed data transmission is more than an inconvenience.
Asset tracking beyond the truck
Another dimension raised during the discussion was visibility of assets that travel with vehicles — trailers, tools, plant equipment and cargo.
In remote and industrial settings, separation events can create costly delays. Knowing when an asset stops travelling with a vehicle or leaves a defined operational boundary is part of the connectivity conversation.
As fleets expand into asset-level monitoring, consistent connectivity becomes even more critical. It is no longer just about where the truck is — it’s about where everything attached to it is.
Connectivity as a maturity issue
The discussion also reinforced that connectivity gaps are not purely technological — they are part of fleet maturity.
Regional fleets often operate in demanding conditions, with harsh climates, long distances and minimal infrastructure. Building a resilient telematics environment means planning for coverage variability rather than assuming constant connectivity.
Martin emphasised that product development must reflect real-world operating conditions.
“Australian and New Zealand fleets operate in some of the most demanding conditions in the world.”
For those fleets, connectivity isn’t a feature. It’s a requirement.
The operational reality
As telematics evolves from simple tracking to what many describe as an operational intelligence layer, connectivity becomes foundational.
Real-time safety alerts, predictive maintenance modelling and emissions tracking all depend on reliable data flow. In regional and remote fleets, that means designing systems that tolerate gaps, leverage multiple network types and integrate satellite capability where appropriate.
The message from Geotab Connect 2026 was pragmatic: satellite and hybrid connectivity solutions are advancing, but they must align with operational ecosystems and infrastructure realities.
For regional fleets, the goal is not perfect coverage everywhere — it is dependable visibility where it matters most.
- Trucking alliance targets diesel costs and electric truck uncertainty
Truck operators will be offered free guidance on cutting fuel consumption and assessing new vehicle technology through FLEETLEAP, an industry alliance launched at the NatRoad National Conference on the Gold Coast. The initiative brings together transport associations, energy specialists and technology providers, with a focus on helping businesses identify practical savings and make informed decisions - Australia’s $9 Billion Diesel Wake-Up CallAustralia’s reliance on imported diesel has left transport operators exposed to a costly global fuel shock, strengthening the case for treating energy security as part of fleet planning. Climate Council analysis puts Australia’s additional diesel import costs at $9 billion between March and August 2026 — more than twice the additional bill of the next
- Heavy Haulage Finds Its VoiceHeavy haulage operators have a new national advocacy group, with the Australian Heavy Haulage Association (AHHA) launching to pursue improvements in permits, interstate consistency and the way regulations are applied. Australian Trucking Association CEO Mat Munro launched the independent association at a gathering of more than 40 operators in Melbourne, welcoming its formation as a
- Less wait, more work: Scania launches FleetlineScania Australia is introducing a new Fleetline truck range, combining standardised specifications, shorter delivery lead times and an included repair and maintenance programme for transport operators looking to control costs. The 2026 model year line-up comprises Day Cab Fleetline, Sleeper Cab Fleetline and V8 Fleetline models, covering applications from tipper and dog operations to prime
- Purtill Group backs ProCabin for regional fuel runsDeniliquin’s Purtill Group has added two Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin 2663 prime movers to its fuel delivery fleet, with safety technology, driver feedback and regional service support influencing the purchase. The family-owned business, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026, is using the new trucks to haul 30-metre A-double fuel tankers between Melbourne and the NSW centres
