When it comes to GPS tracking in Australia, reliable mobile coverage isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. We recently analysed data collected along a route from Southern Cross, Western Australia to Kimba, South Australia, and the findings reveal important insights about network coverage and potential pitfalls when relying on a single provider.
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The Numbers: Signal Strength Across Networks
Here’s what we found, number of position updates broken down by operator and signal strength:
| Operator | Signal Quality % | # of Position updates | % of Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Service | 0 | 532 | 24.81% |
| No Service | 40 | 12 | 0.56% |
| No Service | 60 | 41 | 1.91% |
| No Service | 80 | 1 | 0.05% |
| No Service | 100 | 4 | 0.19% |
| Telstra | 0 | 3 | 0.14% |
| Telstra | 60 | 604 | 28.17% |
| Telstra | 80 | 363 | 16.93% |
| Telstra | 100 | 354 | 16.51% |
| Optus | 40 | 14 | 0.65% |
| Optus | 60 | 78 | 3.64% |
| Optus | 80 | 56 | 2.61% |
| Optus | 100 | 36 | 1.68% |
| Vodafone | 40 | 20 | 0.93% |
| Vodafone | 60 | 25 | 1.17% |
| Vodafone | 100 | 1 | 0.05% |
When we summarise the data:
| Operator | Percentage |
|---|---|
| No Service | 27.52% |
| Telstra | 61.75% |
| Optus | 8.58% |
| Vodafone | 2.15% |
This analysis clearly shows that no single mobile network covers everything—there were times along the route where Optus or Vodafone provided better coverage than Telstra. It’s a reminder that relying on one network is risky.
Why Roaming SIMs Matter
While Telstra’s coverage is strong, the reality is that even Telstra doesn’t cover everywhere. Some GPS providers rely on single-provider SIMs, meaning that when that network drops out, so does your tracking ability.
CoreGPS devices are built to connect to the strongest available signal across Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. If one mobile operator has poor coverage, the device automatically switches to another available provider—ensuring continuous tracking and connectivity.
That’s why CoreGPS devices use roaming SIMs that work across all three major Australian networks. This approach ensures your vehicle remains trackable, even when a particular network’s signal drops out.
The CAT-M1 Example: When Telstra-Only Fails
Let’s take it a step further. CAT-M1 (Category M1) technology is popular for GPS trackers because it offers low power consumption and excellent coverage where available. But there’s a catch—in Australia, Telstra is the sole CAT-M1 provider. This can be a major limitation, especially in areas where Telstra’s signal is weak or absent.
Here’s real-world data from a CAT-M1 device, located at a home in Victoria’s south-east (postcode 3977) with poor or no Telstra coverage:
| Operator Name | Signal Quality % | # of Position updates |
|---|---|---|
| No Service | 0 | 12,853 |
| No Service | 60 | 1,044 |
| No Service | 80 | 522 |
| No Service | 100 | 114 |
| Telstra | 0 | 3 |
| Telstra | 60 | 118 |
| Telstra | 80 | 1,171 |
| Telstra | 100 | 1,050 |
When summarised:
- No Service accounted for 86.12% of all position updates(14,533 instances).
- Telstra accounted for just 13.88% of the positions (2,342 instances).
This highlights a key risk: if your tracker relies solely on a single network (even Telstra), coverage gaps can leave you completely disconnected. In this case, the home location had poor or no Telstra signal, and a CAT-M1 device couldn’t maintain a reliable connection.
Summary of All Connected Devices
While we’ve highlighted the challenges of relying solely on a single mobile operator, it’s also important to acknowledge the broader picture of our GPS tracking fleet.
Here’s a summary of all connected devices, based on every single position update, broken down by network:
| Operator | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Telstra | 96.75% |
| Optus | 2.36% |
| Vodafone | 0.19% |
| No Service | 0.70% |
This clearly shows that while Telstra accounts for the majority of position updates, Optus or Vodafone provided coverage where Telstra could not. It’s a reminder that no single provider is perfect, and having devices capable of roaming across multiple mobile networks is the smart choice.
At CoreGPS, we focus on delivering roaming SIM connectivity, ensuring reliable tracking even when one network falters.
Key Takeaways
- No single mobile provider covers everything—there were times along the Southern Cross – Kimba route where Optus or Vodafone provided coverage where Telstra could not.
- CoreGPS roaming SIMs ensure you’re not left stranded when a single provider’s signal drops out, by automatically switching to the strongest available network.
- CAT-M1 devices can be risky in Australia, where only Telstra supports CAT-M1—and even then, coverage isn’t guaranteed.
- That’s why CoreGPS focuses on roaming SIM solutions that connect to multiple networks, providing reliable GPS tracking wherever you go.
Stay connected, stay informed, and make smart choices about the technology you depend on.
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