How Satellite Trailer Tracking Transforms Fleet Visibility

The Satellite Revolution: Smaller, Smarter, Stronger

Sixteen years ago, satellite trailer tracking hardware was massive—devices as big as dinner plates. Fast forward to today, and those same functions fit in a unit the size of a matchbox.

“Advances in solar panel technology, battery design, and RF engineering mean the core chipsets are now the size of a quarter.”
— Martin Jefferson

What does that mean for your fleet? It’s now more cost-effective and practical to deploy satellite-powered tracking across every trailer, especially unpowered ones—without the real estate or complexity that used to limit adoption.

What Should You Consider When Looking At Satellite Tracking?

Choosing a Future-Ready Network Partner

Not all satellite networks are equal. Choosing the right tracking partner also means choosing the right infrastructure—one built to last.

“You want to invest in one that is future-friendly… so you can stick with that technology for the next 15 years.”
— Martin Jefferson

Globalstar’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) network uses short-burst data packets ideal for location, pressure, speed, and status updates. It’s designed for longevity and efficiency, which translates to smaller devices and better long-term ROI.

Trailer Visibility = Business Clarity

For every one tractor, most fleets operate three trailers—but only have visibility into the ones that are connected.

“Two-thirds of your business you have no visibility… So how could you make a good decision on what assets you have available to be used?”
— Martin Jefferson

Without that visibility, trailers get underutilized or forgotten, leading to unnecessary fleet growth and mounting costs. Satellite tracking helps right-size your fleet, revealing which trailers are active, idle, or available—no matter where they’re parked.

“Six to seven hundred dollars a month to maintain a trailer… If you’ve got 10 extra of those in your fleet, those are a cost—not an asset.”
— Martin Jefferson

Data Integrity Means Smarter Maintenance & Lower Costs

Missing or inconsistent data doesn’t just affect visibility—it disrupts maintenance schedules, skews mileage estimates, and leads to wasted dollars.

“If you’ve got gaps in your data, your maintenance schedules are off… and your analytics are incorrect.”
— Martin Jefferson

Satellite ensures reliable and consistent coverage across your entire fleet, so you’re making decisions based on complete and accurate data—every time.

Redundancy You Can Rely On

Globalstar’s network was built for resilience, not reliance on a single cell tower or coverage zone.

24 Satellites in orbit (including an in-orbit spare)
32+ overlapping ground stations
Multiple uplink and downlink paths per region

“Any one component could fail—and your data still gets through.”
— Martin Jefferson

That’s the kind of built-in redundancy you can count on for consistent operations, especially in remote or underserved regions.

Designed for Vast Geographies Like Canada and U.S.

“In Canada, we’re highly concentrated in population—but we’ve got a ginormous geography.”
— Martin Jefferson

Cellular networks are built based on subscriber density, meaning rural or remote areas are often left in the dark. Satellite networks don’t have that limitation. As long as your asset has a view of the sky, it’s covered—no matter the landscape.

“Satellite isn’t dependent on subscriber base. The network is the network.”
— Martin Jefferson

Smart Trailers, Smarter Decisions

Satellite tracking has evolved beyond GPS. Today’s smart trailer capabilities include:

Load status
Door sensors
Temperature monitoring
Maintenance triggers
Location + usage insights

“You’re not just looking at someone’s position—you’re looking at status, temperature, maintenance cycles… that all adds value.”
— Martin Jefferson

This gives dispatch, operations, and maintenance teams a shared source of truth—helping reduce costs, improve uptime, and even prevent accidents through proactive alerts.

The Takeaway: Visibility Is Power

Satellite trailer tracking isn’t just about knowing where things are—it’s about knowing what to do with them.

When you combine total coverage with intelligent sensors, reliable infrastructure, and clean data, you unlock real ROI: leaner fleets, lower costs, and better service.

About TGI Connect

Welcome to TGI Connect, the trusted leader in trailer tracking and asset management solutions for the transportation and logistics industry, in business since 1992. We specialize in trailer tracking, helping fleets maximize efficiency, visibility, and cost savings with our cutting-edge satellite tracking technology.

Our extended coverage footprint and state-of-the-art satellite connectivity ensure real-time trailer tracking, automated reporting, and seamless data integration, reducing downtime and boosting revenue opportunities. Backed by a dedicated customer service team, we provide proactive account management and a proven track record of reliability, trust, and customer satisfaction.

Partner with TGI Connect to optimize your trailer fleet operations, enhance trailer utilization, and stay ahead in today’s competitive transportation industry. For more information visit www.tgi-connect.com.