LoRaWAN defines the MAC layer, device classes, security keys and network architecture that sit on top of the LoRa physical layer. End devices broadcast uplinks that any gateway in range forwards to a network server, which deduplicates packets, manages data rates and routes payloads to applications. Class A devices only listen briefly after transmitting, which is what makes multi-year battery life realistic.
It is the most widely deployed LPWAN technology for metering, agriculture and asset tracking, partly because anyone can run a private network in license-free spectrum and partly because community and operator networks already cover many cities. The trade-offs are tiny payloads, regional duty cycle limits and latency measured in seconds, so it suits monitoring rather than control. See LoRaWAN explained.
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