A data congestion control can operate in a hierarchical sensor network. A first data rate of data received from a set of devices is determined to compare unfavorably to a congestion threshold. A most favorable negotiation score of a set of negotiation scores corresponding to the set of devices is determined. A proposed reduced transmission rate that is less than a current transmission rate of the device and that compares favorably a boundary conditions of the device is determined. A transmission rate reduction request is generated for transmission to the one of the set of devices that indicates the proposed reduced transmission rate. An updated data rate of the data received from the set of devices is determined, and a difference between the updated data rate and the first aggregated data rate corresponds to a reduction of rate of transmission by the device.