A wireless device (300, 400), e.g., a wireless communication device (e.g., a UE) or a network node (e.g., an eNB) having a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer (410) and a physical (PHY) layer (430) configured to send/resend transmissions is presented herein. The MAC layer (410) sends transmissions to the PHY layer (430) for transmitting, by the PHY layer (430), to a remote wireless device (300, 400). The PHY layer (430) receives the transmission from the MAC layer (410), and attempts to send the transmission. The PHY layer (430) further indicates to the MAC layer (410) whether the attempt to send the transmission, by the PHY layer (430), was successful. Responsive to the indication, the MAC layer (410) determines whether the attempt, by the PHY layer (430), to send the transmission was successful. The MAC layer (410) then selectively indicates to the PHY layer (430) whether to attempt to resend the transmission responsive to the determination. In so doing, the solution presented herein addresses problems caused by conflicting requirements for unlicensed and licensed spectrums, thus increasing throughput and saving power.