Black spots, satellites and Elon: new technology could fill Australia’s mobile gaps – but can it be relied on?

The Albanese government is banking on direct-to-device access to satellite connections to improve coverage

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Bernie Byrnes, a farmer from the southern tablelands of New South Wales, can tell when he is about to hit a mobile black spot on a highway.

There's spots on the side of the highway where reception falls out. And you can see it if you're familiar with the vehicles that travel. People will pull over in the same spot to finish a conversation, finish a meeting. And you know that they're familiar with the reception there," he says.

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