AbstractWe propose a Split MAC architecture‐based solution to enhance the Quality of Service (QoS) experienced by the wireless nodes in an IEEE 802.11b/e‐based WLAN. Our proposed solution achieves the objectives of (a) providing a fair sharing of the wireless channel time among stations (STAs) while maximizing channel utilization in a situation where STAs are associated at different data rates with the access point (AP), (b) exercising Connection Admission Control (CAC) for two‐way voice calls, (c) supporting policy‐based service differentiation among the flows within one IEEE 802.11e access category, and (d) maintaining performance levels during inter‐AP roaming of STAs. The proposed solution is implemented on an extraneous device, called WM (WLAN Manager), which in CAPWAP parlance can be termed an access controller. We report simulation and test‐bed results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.