[Orry Verducci]

not knowing what the mobile coverage is like in the area - could they have used one of those 4G/5G units instead of or until the sat truck turned up? are any of the news orgs doing anything with starlink and other easy-to use LEO systems? seems like the textbook use case.

BBC News has used Starlink for reports, which I understand was successful. I think other news organisations have been looking at or trialing Starlink.

However, given the significance of the Queen's passing, the use of LEO satellites would have been off the table as it wouldn't be considered reliable or tested enough. For events of that significance the news broadcasters like to stick to the high quality and very reliable solutions, which is basically the traditional satellite truck. Even the use of 4G would have been deemed "not good enough" for this sort of event, other than for the initial pictures until the truck can get there.