Method, system and components for facilitating wireless communication in a sectored service area

An access point (AP), configured for wireless communication with at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the AP comprising:

• a transceiver configured to transmit a beacon signal periodically among a plurality of sectors, each sector having its own sector identity, the beacon signal being periodically received at least once in a beacon period and the beacon period comprising a plurality of beacon service periods for all sectors, and further configured to transmit a beam access control (BAC) signal via at least one directional beam in a sector in which the first WTRU is located during a beacon service period;
• a control unit configured to determine a scheduling value to indicate a number W of inactive beacon periods for a first sector to at least one WTRU located in the first sector, and further configured to determine the BAC signal to indicate allowance or disallowance of transmission of a signal from the first WTRU in the sector during a post-beacon period, the post-beacon period remaining after the beacon service periods for all sectors;
• and
• the transceiver configured to transmit the scheduling value with the sector identity for the first sector, such that a variable beacon period is established for the first sector, to enable the at least one WTRU located in the first sector to enter a sleep mode for an adjustable period of time.