Apparatus and method for spectrum sharing using listen before talk (LBT) and quiet periods are disclosed. This includes assessing using LBT to determine if a shared spectrum channel is being used by at least one other network, and transmitting transmission frames over the shared spectrum channel in at least one of an uplink or a downlink when the channel is determined as not being used. The accumulated time of transmission use of the spectrum channel is counted based on predetermined conditions, and a determination made when the accumulated time exceeds a maximum allotted time. Transmission of frames by a network is allowed to continue if the maximum time has not been exceeded and the spectrum remains available. A quiet period is then executed once the maximum time period is exceeded.