An apparatus and method for use with a shared access communication channel is disclosed. A wireless network device receives signals and recovers data from a first plurality of subscriber units and a second plurality of subscriber units in a time interval. Received signals from the first plurality of subscriber units are distinguishable by having unique pseudo noise (PN) sequence with respect to others of the first plurality of subscriber units. Received signals the second plurality of subscriber units are distinguishable by a unique orthogonal sequence with respect to others of the second plurality of subscriber units. Received signals are distinguished between the first and second plurality of subscriber units based on detection of an orthogonal sequence present only in the received signals from the second plurality of subscriber units.