Selection of transmission modes in dense wireless networks

An apparatus, comprising:

• a network interface device associated with an access point (AP) of a wireless communication network that operates according to a communication protocol that defines a plurality of physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) formats including an extended range PPDU format for providing extended range communications as compared to the one or more other PPDU formats among the plurality of PPDU formats defined by the communication protocol, and wherein the network interface device includes one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to:
• determine that spatial reuse of a communication channel by one or more other wireless communication networks is to be supported, and
• in response to determining that spatial reuse of a communication channel by one or more other wireless communication networks is to be supported, generate a frame that includes, within a high efficiency (HE) operation element, information indicating that any client stations that are in communication with the AP and that operate according to the communication protocol cannot transmit packets having the extended range PPDU format in the communication channel;
• wherein the one or more ICs are further configured to transmit the frame to instruct the any client stations to not transmit packets having the extended range PPDU format to the AP to facilitate spatial reuse of the communication channel by one or more other wireless communication networks.