Configuring the Gateway
Numerous LoRaWAN gateways come with US915 set as the default region. Here’s a crucial piece of advice: Prior to purchasing and setting up your gateway device, make sure to understand your country’s government regulations regarding the approved uses of LoRaWAN bands.
Official Regulations
In Israel, the 917–920 MHz band is designated for LoRaWAN use and typically does not necessitate a personal operating license for end-users, as long as the equipment has received “Type Approval.”
LoRaWAN Frequency Comparison for Israel
2026 regulations set by the Israeli Ministry of Communications (MoC).
| Feature | 868 MHz (EU Standard) | 915 MHz (US Standard) | 917–920 MHz (Israel Official) |
| Status in Israel | Unauthorized | Highly Restricted | Officially Authorized |
| Common Use | Europe / UK | North America / Brazil | Israel (since 2021) |
| LoRaWAN Plan | EU863-870 | US902-928 | AS923-4 |
| Licensing Risk | Interference with security/mil | High interference with Cell | License-Exempt (Type Approved) |
| Equipment Approval | Unlikely to be approved | Rejected by MoC | Full Commercial Approval |
| Allowed Power | N/A | N/A | 25 mW (up to 500 mW for control) |
The 868 MHz band is recognized as the European ISM band and is officially designated as an unlicensed SRD/ISM band in Israel. While it is not officially unauthorized, it serves as the second option for testing LoRa or LoRaWAN devices.
Since our US915 gateway is situated in Israel and operates within the 915–917 MHz spectrum, we are dedicated to conducting private, non-commercial testing throughout this review process, ensuring a seamless operation.
Connecting to a public LoRaWAN network: Joining The Things Network (TTN)
Before configuring our new LoRaWAN ESP32-S3 board with the gateway using TTN public network, it is crucial to input the Gateway EUI, which is conveniently printed on the back of the gateway device. This, along with a few additional parameters, must be entered into the TTN Console.
Here are all the steps you need to take:
- Open the free TTN console:
https://console.cloud.thethings.network - Log in with a normal account (Google, GitHub, or email)
- Create a free application
- Registered our LoRaWAN Gateway device.
- Add an end device → TTN will generate your DevEUI, AppEUI, and AppKey
- Use the last 3 characters of the DevEUI in your gateway setup.
- Put all three values into your ESP32‑S3 sketch.
What exactly is The Things Network (TTN)?
The Things Network (TTN) is a worldwide, open-source network that leverages LoRaWAN technology to enable low-power, long-range communication for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Setting up our gateway on The Things Network (TTN)
When registering a gateway on TTN for the first time, you will need to enter the following parameters:
- Gateway EUI
- Gateway ID
- Gateway name
- Frequency plan (According to your gateway and end devices bands).
The Gateway EUI is derived from the Gateway device, as illustrated in the screenshot provided below.
Registering the gateway EUI on The Things Network (TTN).
Enabling the Correct Gateway Mode
Our gateway device functions in three unique modes: as a standalone server, a basic workstation, or a packet forwarder. When integrated with The Things Network (TTN), the packet forwarder emerges as the ideal option for deploying our device within a public network environment. This option can be found under Gateway >> LoRaWAN settings.
Final Step: Verifying that the Gateway is correctly configured.
If everything proceeds smoothly, you’ll notice that the gateway status will change to green.
