A proxy translator for use in a wireless network. The proxy translator re-transmits forward and reverse channel signals between a base station and mobile stations. The proxy translator comprises a first proxy mobile station that communicate with a base station and a proxy base transceiver subsystem (BTS) that communicates with a first mobile station. The first proxy mobile station receives forward channel signals intended for the first mobile station and transfers them to the proxy BTS for re-transmission to the first mobile station. The proxy BTS receives reverse channel signals from the first mobile station and transfers them to the first proxy mobile station for re-transmission to the base station.