The Netherlands are well-known for their inland waterways, canals, sluices and of course port activities. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure indicates that there are thousands of buoys and fixed items in and near water environments that would profit from IoT monitoring. One of the problems with buoys for example, is that they get hit by ships and the anchor cable breaks. Without connectivity, it takes quite some time to find out that something has happened with that buoy. Not to mention the costs of renting a boat to go to the buoy to fix it. Another important issue, is that there is no real-time monitoring of the buoys at this moment. Only by physically visiting the object on the water, one gains insight in its status.

A circuit of the small inland waterways and canals with stops at the numerous quays is a so-called ‘must do’ for tourists as they say. For municipalities or canal authorities however, it is of great importance to have insight in the water level of these canals to prevent them from flooding. To gain more insight in the water level of the canals, the Ministry of Infrastructure uses sensors with RS232 protocols. Since this technology is quite an old-fashioned one, it is not suited for controlling the water level from several canals real-time from distance.

Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania, is strategically located in the center of Europe, making it a crucial hub for logistics, economic processes, and innovation flows. Despite its small population of around 400,000, the city's location makes it significant for all of Europe. However, Kaunas faces several challenges. It has a growing elderly population, a deteriorating infrastructure, and a rapid increase in car numbers. Environmental issues such as global warming, air pollution, and water supply are also pressing concerns. The city's heating system, which serves nearly 90% of residents, faces problems with uninterrupted water supply and power consumption. Kauno energija, a company that has been operating in Lithuania since 1963, has been instrumental in improving community services and contributing to cost savings from the city budget. However, the need to integrate an IoT network to address these challenges is evident.