One embodiment allocates and uses exclusive and overlapping transmission units in a network. One embodiment includes sending information, from a first network node in a network, during an exclusive transmission unit, wherein the exclusive transmission unit includes one or more wireless time slot-frequency pairings assigned to the first network node to send info nation without another assigned network transmission unit providing overlapping time slot-frequency interference from another network node communicating in the network. One embodiment includes sending information, from the first network node, during an overlapping transmission unit, wherein the overlapping transmission unit includes one or more wireless time slot-frequency pairings assigned to the first network node to send information, with the overlapping transmission unit overlapping in time slot-frequency with one or more other assigned network transmission units that will cause interference if simultaneously used.