Abstract: A wireless communication unit (4160) comprises a processor (508) having a power-aware link adaptation function (540) for selecting an operational mode of the wireless communication unit (460) to transmit at least one data packet, the wireless communication unit (460) characterised in that the processor (508) is configured to perform, or is operably coupled to, a communication medium monitoring function that monitors an occupancy of a communication medium that comprises a plurality of communication links and, in response to a determination of i-he occupancy of the communication medium, the processor (508) performs link adaptation for at least one data packet transmission of the wireless communication unit (460). In this manner, in the provision of a power-aware link adaptation concept together with a communication medium occupancy monitoring function one or more of several links sharing the same communication medium can be selected to minimise power consumption within the wireless communication unit.