What is Co-Channel Interference?

Co-channel interference or CCI exists when two or more devices are operating on the same frequency channel.

Co-channel interference is not actually an interference but more a sort of congestion. It hinders the performance by increasing the wait time as the same channel is used by different devices. The CCI forces other devices to defer transmissions and wait in a queue until the first device finishes using the transmission line and the channel is free.

The 802.11 protocol is designed to address this situation and to utilize the channel in the most efficient way.