Embodiments include methods and apparatus for wireless network communication between a device that operates a radio in compliance with a wireless communication standard and another device that may not be capable of complying with the wireless communication standard. In an embodiment a sender of a wireless standard compliant message modulates backchannel data on a wireless standard compliant message. The wireless standard compliant message may be addressed to an IP address of a compliant device. However the compliant message may have no meaning for the addressee. A noncompliant device within wireless range of the compliant message receives the message and demodulates the backchannel information. The noncompliant device this does not require a wireless standard radio to be on in order to receive messages and can operate at very low power.