within a radio access network an access point selects a channel by first randomly choosing a channel from those available for use . the access point then monitors the channel for a random interval to determine if the channel is presently carrying traffic . the access point will select the channel unless the channel is in use by another ap . if so , then the ap will select another channel and commence monitoring for a random interval in order to determine whether the channel is available . the ap will continue to choose channels until a suitable channel is found , or all available channels have been exhausted .