The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly transforming industries across Australia — from smart agriculture and mining to logistics and infrastructure management. At the heart of many of these systems lies LoRa, a wireless communication technology designed for long-range, low-power data transmission.
If you’ve ever wondered how remote water sensors, weather stations, or livestock trackers stay connected for years on a single battery, the answer is often LoRa.
This post explains what LoRa is, how it works, and why it’s particularly valuable within the Australian regulatory and environmental context.
1. What Is LoRa?
LoRa stands for “Long Range”, a proprietary wireless modulation developed by Semtech Corporation. It’s not a communication network by itself but rather the physical layer — the way data is encoded and transmitted over the air.
LoRa enables devices to send small packets of data (like sensor readings) over several kilometres using minimal energy. It’s ideal for battery-powered IoT nodes that need to transmit intermittently — such as soil moisture sensors or asset trackers.
Above LoRa sits LoRaWAN — a standardized network protocol maintained by the LoRa Alliance — which defines how devices communicate with gateways, manage security, and connect to cloud applications.
2. The 915 MHz ISM Band in Australia
In Australia, LoRa operates in the 915–928 MHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, as defined by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
This band is license-free for low-power devices under the Radiocommunications (LIPD) Class Licence 2015.
Key points for Australian LoRa deployments:
- Frequency range: 915–928 MHz
- Maximum EIRP: 30 dBm (1 watt)
- Typical LoRa channels: 8 uplink + 1 downlink (AU915 plan)
- Bandwidth: 125 kHz or 500 kHz
- Spreading factors: SF7 to SF12 (trade-off between range and data rate)
These settings align with the AU915 regional parameters used by most LoRaWAN networks in Australia, such as The Things Network (TTN), Narrowband IoT operators, and various private deployments.
3. How LoRa Works
LoRa uses a technique called Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation.
Instead of transmitting a simple sine wave, LoRa “chirps” — sweeping the signal frequency up or down over time.
This makes LoRa exceptionally resistant to interference and capable of detecting signals far below the noise floor (up to –137 dBm in some cases).
Key Features
- Long range: 2–5 km in urban areas, 10–15 km in rural or open terrain.
- Low power: Battery life can exceed 5 years for low-duty-cycle devices.
- Robustness: Excellent performance in noisy or obstructed environments.
- Low data rates: 0.3 kbps to 50 kbps — enough for sensor readings, not video.
LoRa’s strength lies in transmitting small amounts of data reliably over long distances.
4. LoRa vs LoRaWAN
While the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re different layers:
| Layer | Technology | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| LoRa | Physical layer | Defines modulation, frequency, and signal characteristics |
| LoRaWAN | Network layer | Manages devices, gateways, encryption, and data routing |
LoRaWAN adds a cloud-based backend that handles authentication, adaptive data rate control, and message delivery. Gateways act as transparent bridges — receiving LoRa signals from nodes and forwarding them to network servers via the internet.
5. Why LoRa Matters in Australia
Australia’s vast geography, low population density, and harsh environmental conditions make LoRa uniquely suited for many applications. Unlike cellular or Wi-Fi, LoRa does not rely on dense infrastructure or high power draw.
Key Advantages
- Rural Coverage: Large farm and mining operations can cover thousands of hectares with only a few gateways.
- Low Power Demand: Remote sensors can run for years on small batteries or solar cells.
- Open Spectrum: Operation in the 915 MHz ISM band requires no individual licensing, reducing cost and complexity.
- Community and Private Networks: LoRa supports open networks like The Things Network Australia and private LoRaWAN deployments by councils, utilities, and agritech firms.
- Edge Flexibility: Gateways can be easily integrated with edge computing and local analytics for offline environments.
6. Typical Applications in Australia
| Sector | Example Use Case | Benefit |
| Agriculture | Soil moisture, livestock tracking, irrigation control | Improves yield and reduces resource waste |
| Smart Cities | Parking sensors, waste management, air quality | Low-cost deployment across large areas |
| Utilities | Water metering, leak detection | Remote monitoring with minimal maintenance |
| Mining & Resources | Equipment monitoring, safety beacons | Reliable connectivity in remote locations |
| Environmental Monitoring | Flood alerts, bushfire sensors | Real-time data for disaster response |
7. Getting Started with LoRa in Australia
- Check Frequency Compliance: Use the AU915 band plan and adhere to ACMA power limits.
- Select Gateways: Multi-channel gateways like the RAK WisGate or Multitech Conduit support the full LoRaWAN AU915 plan.
- Join a Network: Start with The Things Network (TTN) for free community coverage or build a private LoRaWAN if you need local control.
- Test Antennas: Ensure correct antenna gain and polarization — vertical antennas with 2–8 dBi gain are common.
- Optimize for Power: Adjust transmission intervals, spreading factors, and payload size to maximize battery life.
8. Future Outlook
Australia is seeing growing LoRa adoption, especially in agritech, utilities, and smart infrastructure.
LoRaWAN complements emerging technologies like 5G, NB-IoT, and satellite IoT, forming a hybrid connectivity landscape suited to the country’s unique challenges.
With its long range, resilience, and low cost, LoRa remains one of the most accessible and scalable IoT communication options available in Australia today.
References
- Semtech LoRa Technology Overview — https://www.semtech.com/lora
- LoRa Alliance Technical Resources — https://lora-alliance.org/resource_hub/
- ACMA Radiocommunications (LIPD) Class Licence 2015 — https://www.acma.gov.au/radiocommunications-low-interference-potential-devices-class-licence-2015
- Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan 2021 — https://www.acma.gov.au/australian-radiofrequency-spectrum-plan
- The Things Network Australia — https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/country/australia/