A method of characterizing a capacity region in a multi-channel, multi-radio mesh network of nodes interconnected by links. The method includes: (a) modeling the network by determining one or more link-flow feasibility constraints; (b) obtaining a feasible upper-capacity bound by solving an optimization problem using the one or more link-flow feasibility constraints as necessary conditions; and (c) using an algorithm adapted to provide a feasible lower-capacity bound by (i) receiving the solution to the optimization problem as input, (ii) allocating channels to links to meet a demand vector that satisfies the one or more link-flow feasibility constraints, and (iii) scheduling flows along the allocated channels. The upper- and lower-capacity bounds define the capacity region.