A method and apparatus for improving the successful transmission of facsimile data over a wireless communication channel is provided comprising a facsimile machine, a wireless transceiver and a connector interfacing therebetween. The facsimile machine detects an interface with the wireless transceiver and notifies the facsimile machine of a wireless communication channel through which facsimile data will traverse. The facsimile machine, in conjunction with the wireless transceiver, establishes a wireless communication channel according to an initial data transfer rate corresponding with the capability of the wireless transceiver or known communication channel conditions. The facsimile machine then exchanges facsimile data over the wireless communication channel and a receiving facsimile machine evaluates the facsimile data to detect errors injected through the wireless communication channel. When such errors are detected, the facsimile machine may institute retransmission of the previous facsimile data relying upon an anticipated improved condition of the wireless communication channel. When the conditions of this wireless communication channel have not improved, the facsimile machine renegotiates a data transfer rate more conducive with the present capability of the wireless communication channel. A facsimile machine further determines when the wireless transceiver is removed and reverts back to traditional wired communication channel data rates.