Disclosed is a new solution to maximize throughput in wireless networks even when unpredictable and time-varying error exist. The present invention adapts to take an advantage of a network coding at a symbol level in multi-channel wireless networks. By operating the network coding at the symbol level and using soft decision values, the present invention is able to exploit both time and cooperative diversity in realistic multi-channel wireless networks, to adapt to time-varying and bursty channel errors, and to efficiently collect as many correct symbols as possible at the receiver.