Coexistence techniques for wide area network devices operating in unlicensed bands

A method, comprising:

• receiving, at an access point of a first wireless communication network, an indication that a communication channel in an unlicensed frequency band is being utilized by a second wireless communication network, wherein the first wireless communication network utilizes a first wireless communication protocol developed for use in the unlicensed frequency band, wherein the second wireless communication network utilizes a second wireless communication protocol developed for use in frequency bands that are licensed by a government entity for wireless communication applications, and wherein the government entity does not require licenses to use the unlicensed frequency band;
• and
• in response to receiving the indication that the communication channel in the unlicensed frequency band is being utilized by the second wireless communication network that utilizes the second wireless communication protocol developed for use in frequency bands that are licensed by the government entity for wireless communication applications, determining, at the access point of the first wireless communication network, that i) the communication channel cannot be used by the first wireless communication network, or ii) the first wireless communication network is to temporarily yield the communication channel to the second wireless communication network.

A method, comprising:

• transmitting, by a communication device associated with a first wireless communication network, an indication that a communication channel in an unlicensed frequency band is being utilized by the first wireless communication network, wherein the indication is transmitted to an access point of a second wireless communication network, wherein the first wireless communication network utilizes a first wireless communication protocol developed for use in frequency bands that are licensed by a government entity for wireless communication applications, wherein the government entity does not require licenses to use the unlicensed frequency band, and wherein the second wireless communication network utilizes a second wireless communication protocol developed for use in the unlicensed frequency band;
• wherein the indication is transmitted by the communication device to prompt the access point of the second wireless communication network, to determine that i) the communication channel cannot be used by the second wireless communication network, or ii) the second wireless communication network is to temporarily yield the communication channel to the first wireless communication network.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a communication device associated with a first wireless communication network that utilizes a first wireless communication protocol developed for use in frequency bands that are licensed by a government entity for wireless communication applications, the communication device having one or more integrated circuit devices configured to:
• transmit an indication that a communication channel in an unlicensed frequency band is being utilized by the first wireless communication network, wherein the indication is transmitted to an access point of a second wireless communication network, wherein the government entity does not require licenses to use the unlicensed frequency band, and wherein the second wireless communication network utilizes a second wireless communication protocol developed for use in the unlicensed frequency band;
• wherein the indication is transmitted by the communication device to prompt the access point of the second wireless communication network, to determine that i) the communication channel cannot be used by the second wireless communication network, or ii) the second wireless communication network is to temporarily yield the communication channel to the first wireless communication network.