How do LoRaWAN gateways and Cellular backhauls work together to enable connectivity in hazardous areas? 

In hazardous environments, LoRaWAN gateways provide long-range on-site connectivity, while cellular backhaul delivers a route beyond the site. Together, they form a practical and cost-effective connectivity architecture that supports many use cases seen in the modern industrial site. 

Connectivity Depends on the Application 

Industrial sites use different types of connectivity depending on the application. These can include wired networks, Wi-Fi, private cellular networks (such as private 4G or 5G mobile networks), and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies such as LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network). 

For some use cases, particularly where devices need to send small amounts of data over long distances while using very little power, LoRaWAN combined with a 4G cellular backhaul (a mobile network connection that sends data from the site to the internet or cloud) can be an effective option. 

Examples include: 

• Monitoring tank levels.
• Measuring environmental conditions across large industrial site.
• Tracking assets or personnel.
• Monitoring equipment in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas.

While 5G is becoming more widespread, LoRaWAN gateways do not typically support 5G backhaul because its capabilities are not well matched to LoRaWAN requirements.  

5G is designed for very high-throughput, data-intensive applications such as video streaming and real-time media, whereas LoRaWAN is purpose-built for small, infrequent, low-power data packets. In LoRaWAN deployments, data volumes are modest and event-driven, meaning the additional speed and capacity offered by 5G would provide little practical benefit. Instead, 4G already delivers reliable and sufficient backhaul connectivity for these use cases. 

Why LoRaWAN gateways are well suited to hazardous environments

 LoRaWAN  is a wireless communication technology designed for long-range, low-power applications, as outlined above. 

In environments such as oil refineries, mining operations, and chemical processing plants; this approach offers many practical advantages. It allows connectivity to be extended across large sites with minimal physical infrastructure, helping to reduce cabling and site disruption.  The use of LoRaWan is particularly valuable for  sites located in remote areas, where installing and maintaining wired infrastructure can be both complex and difficult to manage.  

When supported by gateway infrastructure that is specifically designed and certified for explosive atmospheres, LoRaWAN becomes a strong foundation for connectivity in environments where traditional wired or short-range wireless networks may be difficult to deploy.  

How LoRaWAN gateways with 4G backhaul work

To understand why this architecture is so effective in hazardous environments, it helps to first define it. In simple terms, devices connect to a LoRaWAN gateway on site, which then sends the data over 4G to a secure remote platform.

Local connectivity in a hazardous area  

Wireless devices transmit data using the LoRaWAN communication protocol, providing long-range connectivity across operational zones.  

LoRaWAN gateway’s act as a local collection point, receiving data from across the site without the need for extensive cables. They can support thousands of sensors simultaneously, offering reliable long-range connectivity of several kilometres outdoors and up to 800 metres indoors, although in dense, metallic or highly reflective environments we would typically see a range of around 500 metres depending on the structure and layout. Selected LoRaWAN gateways are designed and certified for use in  potentially explosive atmospheres, and can be deployed in Zone 1 or Zone 2 environments depending on their specific certification. 

A flexible, vendor-agnostic approach 

LoRaWAN gateway’s themselves do not always need to be hazardous area certified, as protection can be provided through a certified enclosure designed for explosive atmospheres. At Extronics, our vendor-agnostic approach enables industry-proven LoRaWAN gateways to be safely deployed inside enclosures such as the iWAP107, iWAPXN3, or EXgate offering greater flexibility and choice. 

The iWAP107 and EXgate enclosures are certified for deployment in Zone 1 hazardous areas, while the iWAPXN3 is designed for Zone 2 environments. These solutions allow  standard LoRaWAN gateways to be safely deployed within classified areas, delivering several key advantages: 

• Freedom to select the most suitable LoRaWAN gateway for the application. 
• The ability to standardize the same gateway models across the entire site. 
• Simplified lifecycle management and spare parts strategy.
• Reduced vendor lock-in.
• Compliance achieved through certified enclosure protection rather than specialist gateway hardware.

Processing at the site edge 

LoRaWAN gateways operate at what is commonly referred to as the edge; meaning it sits on the industrial site itself, close to operations, rather than in a central data location. 

At this point: 

• Data is aggregated locally.
• Communications remain within the site boundary.
• No reliance is placed on existing site IT infrastructure.

Transmission beyond the site using 4G

Once data has been collected by the on-site LoRaWAN gateway, it needs to be transmitted beyond the hazardous area to systems where it can be monitored and acted upon. 

This can be achieved by using 4G cellular connectivity, which operates in a similar way to a secure mobile data connection. 

The gateway uses an integrated cellular modem and SIM to establish a dedicated data link from the site to external systems, without relying on local fibre, Ethernet, or corporate IT networks. 

In many deployments, this connection uses public cellular infrastructure, provided by national or regional network operators, offering a practical and widely available route for connecting hazardous or remote areas. However, some organizations may choose to deploy private cellular networks, which require additional investment but offer greater control, coverage, and resilience for mission-critical environments; with security being the biggest benefit: 

• Dedicated network infrastructure, not shared with public users.
• Stronger oversight of who can connect to the network and devices.
• Improved protection of sensitive operational data.
• Lower risk of disruption that could impact safety or production.

Within both scenarios, the result is a independent backhaul that allows data to move reliably from the hazardous area to: 

• Control rooms. 
• SCADA systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition platforms used to monitor and control industrial operations.) 
• HSE systems (Health, Safety, and Environment system.)  
• Cloud-based monitoring platforms.  

Application Example: Enabling RTLS for Personnel Tracking and Safety Alerts   

Having a cellular backhaul architecture is especially valuable in hazardous area environments, where reliable local data collection and transmission are essential for maintaining visibility of operations without depending on existing site IT infrastructure.  This is particularly relevant for applications such as RTLS (Real Time Location System)  personnel tracking and worker safety alerts, where wearable devices like the iTAG X40 – LoRaWAN Connected Worker Location Tag transmit occasional location updates and emergency notifications rather than continuous high-bandwidth data.  

Our approach 

At Extronics, we focus on enabling connectivity designed specifically for hazardous and harsh industrial environments. 

Our approach is based on a few key principles: 

• Design for the environment first.
• Minimize physical intervention.
• Enable resilient remote connectivity.
• Support scalable, future-ready networks.

By focusing on the connectivity layer, we help businesses extend modern industrial networking into potentially explosive areas; safely, compliantly, and with confidence. 

Industry perspective 

“Concept13 recognises Extronics  as industry-leading experts in hazardous area technology, driving the adoption of LoRaWAN across some of the world’s most critical and sensitive sites. LoRaWAN is a natural fit for hazardous area digitalization, delivering long-range, ultra-low-power connectivity with minimal hardware inside the zone — an essential advantage where every device carries potential risk. Extronics continues to set the benchmark for safe, practical and reliable industrial connectivity over LoRaWAN.” 
— Stephen Drewett, Director Of Innovation, Concept13 

A practical takeaway 

When planning monitoring, safety, or digitalization initiatives in hazardous areas, the first design decision shouldn’t be the device or application. 

It should be: 

How much connectivity is needed, where it’s required across the site, and how it will operate safely and reliably in an explosive atmosphere. 

This starts with site mapping; understanding coverage requirements, data needs, and where infrastructure must be physically located. 

Different connectivity technologies suit different applications. LoRaWAN is one option that can work well for long-range, low-power sensor networks, particularly where wide site coverage is needed. 

Speak to our team to explore the right connectivity architecture for your site. 

About the Author

JE

James Eastwood

Product Manager

James brings experience from engineering and sales into his role as a product manager. His mix of technical understanding and commercial perspective supports the strategic development of our market-leading products.

Last updated on March 27, 2026

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