Wireless communication network providing multi-hop communications

A wireless communications network using a common wireless communications protocol and comprising:

• a plurality of communications cells configured to use the common wireless communications protocol and comprising at least first, second, and third communications cells, the common wireless communications protocol including a media access layer having a media access control (MAC) frame structure comprising first and second MAC frame sections;
• the first, second, and third communications cells comprising first, second, and third access points, respectively;
• the first access point being configured to communicate, using the common wireless communications protocol, on a first frequency during the first MAC frame section with at least one of a mobile device within a respective wireless communication coverage area of the first communications cell and the second access point;
• and
• the third access point being configured to communicate, using the common wireless communications protocol, on a second frequency during the second MAC frame section with the first access point and a mobile device within a respective wireless communications coverage area of the third communications cell.

A method of operating a wireless communication network including a plurality of communications cells configured to use a common wireless communications protocol and comprising at least first, second, and third communications cells, the first, second, and third communications cells comprising first, second, and third access points, respectively, the method comprising:

• configuring the first access point to communicate, using the common wireless communications protocol, on a first frequency with at least one of a mobile device within a respective wireless communication coverage area of the first communications cell and the second access point;
• configuring the third access point to communicate, using the common wireless communications protocol, on a second frequency with the first access point and a mobile device within a respective wireless communications coverage area of the third communications cell;
• configuring the first access point being to communicate outbound communications on the first frequency and to receive inbound communications on the second frequency;
• and
• configuring the first, second, and third access points to dynamically configure the first and second frequencies based upon at least one of an access point failure, bandwidth usage, communication traffic flow, and communication priority.