To provide a communication apparatus which controls channel access operation under a multi user environment, and a communication method.
Channel access operation of each STA after an MU mode is finished is controlled through a trigger frame from an AP to prevent collision immediately after the MU mode is finished. Further, the AP sets a smaller CW upon transmission of the trigger frame than a CW of an STA to preferentially transmit the trigger frame and give priority to communication in the MU mode over communication in an SU mode. Further, by the CW of each STA upon switching of the mode being not reset, a transmission waiting period after the MU mode is finished is shortened.