1. A method of operating a wireless local area network station comprising the steps of: establishing a variable carrier detect threshold level, so as to define a range of signal levels above which received signals are processed; establishing a variable defer threshold level, above which transmission of signals is deferred receiving a carrier signal having a corresponding power signal level; transmitting a signal when said power signal level is below said defer threshold; and processing said carrier signal intended for said network station when said power signal is above said variable carrier detect threshold level.