Nodes in a wireless network participate in either point-to-multipoint (PMP) or MANET/mesh communications with other nodes on one or more shared channels of the network. A first or base station node transmits a downlink signal having a time frame structure of determined duration to a number of second or subscriber nodes. Portions of the frame structure establish (i) first time periods during which messages are transmitted from the first node to the second nodes, and (ii) second time periods during which messages are transmitted from the second nodes to the first node, using the PMP protocol on one or more shared channels or subchannels of the network. Other portions of the time frame structure establish third time periods during which nodes communicate with one another using the MANET/mesh protocol on the shared channels or subchannels, while avoiding interference with messages transmitted under the PMP protocol.