Abstract: A local area network including at least one hub unit, at least one associated station unit and a wireless communication link between each hub unit and its associated station units. The communication link includes a wireless down-link channel for transferring information from each hub unit to its associated station units and a wireless up-link channel for transferring information from each station unit to its associated hub unit. Communication is conducted in accordance with a combination time division multiplexing and contention based protocol. A synchronized common slotted time frame between each hub unit and its associated station units is imposed by the hub unit.