Crossword Genius

Trouble following space communication (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

email

'communication' is the definition.
(email is a kind of communication)

'trouble following space' is the wordplay.
'trouble' becomes 'ail' ('ail' can be a synonym of 'trouble').
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'space' becomes 'em' (in typography, a space as wide as a letter 'm').
'ail' after 'em' is 'EMAIL'.

(Other definitions for email that I've seen before include "Spam perhaps" , "Send one online" , "Message sent via computer" , "Electronic communication" , "Electronic message" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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