Abstract: A communication network which uses an infrared backbone and having a radio frequency backup channel is disclosed. The infrared backbone is generally located on a ceiling in a hallway of a building and comprises a plurality of hub access points. The hub access points communicate data on the backbone in a relay fashion using modulated infrared light. If infrared communications fail, the hub access points may, as a backup, communicate in the same fashion using low power radio frequency (RF) transmissions. In another embodiment, in an environment such as an airplane having equipment sensitive to RF noise, a communication network is installed having communication pathways which adapt in response to such equipment as need be to minimize RF noise. For example, high-bandwidth wired communicate on might be acceptable during some periods when the sensitive equipment is not in use.