Identification of channels in a wireless network

Signature data associated with a first wireless network is received over a dedicated link from a network management system (NMS), the NMS controlling the first wireless network. Wireless transmissions are detected using a wireless receiver and transmission signature data associated with each wireless transmission is identified. The signature data received over the dedicated link is compared with the signature data associated with the wireless transmissions in order to identify wireless transmissions carried on the first wireless network. A similarity metric may be used to compare base station identities (BSSIDs) detected by the wireless receiver with MAC addresses reported on the dedicated link. A similarity metric may be used to compare a plurality of Server Set Identities (SSIDs) detected by the wireless receiver with each other in order to classify closely matching SSIDs as belonging to a particular WLAN. Data transmissions received by the receiver not having signature data associated with the first network may be anonymised. The dedicated link may be a fixed Ethernet or Powerline connection.