A method includes entering a communication extension mode. After entering the communication extension mode, the method includes outputting via a network, to at least a first device of a first partition and a second device of a second different partition, a first beacon signal of a first communication extension mode frame. The first beacon signal can include a first indication of one slot of the first communication extension mode frame to be output after the first beacon signal and corresponding to a first communication protocol and a second indication of another slot of the first communication extension mode frame to be output after the first beacon signal and corresponding to a second different communication protocol. After outputting the first beacon signal, the method includes using the one slot of the first communication extension mode frame, corresponding to the first communication protocol, to transmit data from the first device of the first partition. And, after outputting the first beacon signal, the method includes using the another slot of the first communication extension mode frame, corresponding to the second communication protocol, to transmit data via the network from the second device of the second partition.