Comprehensive Evaluation of LoRaWAN Technology in Urban and Rural Environments of Quito

The long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) protocol is one of the most effective technologies for internet of things (IoT) applications, offering long-distance connectivity with low power consumption. This paper presents a practical approach by implementing a LoRa-based measurement prototype across urban and rural environments in the city of Quito, with the aim of assessing the performance and applicability of the technology in manifold settings. Specifically, we develop the required data collection and transmission code in the underlying network, ensuring smooth network integration. Furthermore, test environments are thoroughly characterized for numerical results, highlighting the conditions in the cities of Quito. The results obtained in both scenarios were satisfactory, allowing the comparison of the system’s performance in different contexts and providing key aspects of its practical applications and effectiveness. As the main contribution, empirical data were obtained to understand how long-range low-energy connectivity behaves, providing valuable information for comparing system performance in high-altitude cities above sea level, identifying practical applications, and optimizing its use in real IoT implementations.