A data transmission indication method and apparatuses carrying out the method are described herein. The method includes sending, by an access point, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) physical layer signaling to a terminal. The OFDMA physical layer signaling indicates, to the terminal, a subchannel allocated for the terminal, so that the terminal determines the subchannel according to the OFDMA physical layer signaling. The OFDMA physical layer signaling includes an identifier of the terminal and subchannel information corresponding to the identifier of the terminal. A manner in which the access point allocates a subchannel for each terminal according to OFDMA physical layer signaling enables the access point to indicate subchannels for more terminals.