A LoRaWAN Gateway is the central piece that makes long-range, low-power IoT communication possible. It listens to data sent from LoRa devices — sensors, trackers, or meters — and forwards that data to a network server over the internet. You can think of it as a bridge: devices send radio packets, the gateway receives them, and then your application processes the data.
Without a gateway, LoRa devices can’t reach the cloud. The gateway’s job is to handle all wireless communication on one side (LoRa radio) and internet communication on the other (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular).
LoRaWAN Frequencies by Region
LoRaWAN doesn’t use the same frequency everywhere. Each region of the world has its own ISM (unlicensed) band, and gateways and devices must match that frequency to communicate.
Europe and nearby regions: 868 MHz (EU868)
Americas: 915 MHz (US915)
Other regions: may vary — check your local regulations
If you buy the wrong frequency model, your devices won’t connect — so make sure to match the gateway’s frequency with your country’s standard.
So, What Gateway Should I Buy?
There are two main types of IoT Gateways depending on where and how you plan to use them.
1. Outdoor LoRaWAN Gateways
Outdoor gateways are weatherproof and built for wide coverage. When mounted high enough — for example, on a rooftop or tower — a single gateway can cover several kilometers.
One properly installed gateway can easily provide signal for an entire industrial site or even a tall building.
2. Indoor LoRaWAN Gateways
Indoor gateways are compact units designed for use inside buildings. They help boost coverage where outdoor signals can’t reach, such as in basements, warehouses, or thick-walled areas. They’re simple to install, typically connecting via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and work great for extending existing coverage or for small setups.
Connecting a Gateway to Kilo’s IoT Platform
All gateways we carry can connect to any LoRa Network Server (LNS) — giving you full flexibility in how you deploy your network. For simplicity, you can also connect your gateway directly to Kilo’s IoT Platform, which includes a built-in LoRa Network Server. This means you don’t have to roll out or manage your own LNS — everything is ready to go out of the box.
Just register your gateway, add your devices, and you’ll start seeing live data, signal strength, and device metrics in minutes.
Need Help Choosing?
Kilo Electronics carries a variety of LoRaWAN Gateways — both indoor and outdoor — suitable for EU868. If you don’t see a model listed in our store, we can usually source it quickly. Visit the Kilo IoT Shop to browse available gateways — or give us a call if you need help picking the right one.
