A method for selecting between a multi-hop transmission route and a single-hop transmission route for transmitting data from a smart item in a network of smart items to a base station includes receiving signals at the smart item from neighboring smart items in a vicinity of the smart item, measuring a density of neighboring smart items around the smart item based on information in the received signals, and parameterizing a loss of energy in a signal transmitted between a neighboring smart item and the smart item as a function of distance between the neighboring smart item and the smart item. The parameterization is based on information in the received signals. Based on the measured density and on the parameterization of the loss of energy, a multi-hop transmission route or a single-hop transmission route is selected for transmitting data from the smart item to the base station.