Method and Apparatus for Synchronized Channel Access Among Groups

In the detailed examples an access point AP assigns each of a plurality of stations to a group, in which at least one group has multiple stations assigned. For each group the AP sets a group-specific medium access interval during which stations who are members of the group are allowed to compete for medium access, and sends a message indicating the group-specific medium access intervals for the respective groups. A station receiving the message determines the group to which it belongs and determines that it is allowed to compete for medium access at least during the medium access interval. Various examples provide options for how the grouping might be made and how the intervals might be dynamically adjusted.