A wireless access point for managing a wireless local area network connected to a plurality of wireless client devices, the wireless access point comprising: a network controller for controlling operation parameters of the wireless local area network; a data store for storing identity information relating to a set of the plurality of wireless client devices which are privileged devices eligible for prioritised access to the wireless local area network; and a network monitor for monitoring performance characteristics of the wireless local area network, wherein, the network monitor is operable to notify the network controller when utilisation of the wireless local area network exceeds a threshold level of activity, and in response to the notification, the network controller is operable to: access the data store to determine that at least one privileged device is currently present on the wireless local area network; notify the privileged device that prioritised access to the wireless local area network is available; process a response from the privileged device; and if the response is indicative of a request for prioritised access, change at least one operating parameter of the wireless local area network to provide prioritised access to the wireless local area network for the privileged device, and wherein the wireless local area network monitor is further operable to notify the network controller when the network utilisation falls below a second threshold level of activity and in response the network controller is operable to disable the prioritised access for the privileged device. a network controller for controlling operation parameters of the wireless local area network; a data store for storing identity information relating to a set of the plurality of wireless client devices which are privileged devices eligible for prioritised access to the wireless local area network; and a network monitor for monitoring performance characteristics of the wireless local area network, wherein, the network monitor is operable to notify the network controller when utilisation of the wireless local area network exceeds a threshold level of activity, and in response to the notification, the network controller is operable to: access the data store to determine that at least one privileged device is currently present on the wireless local area network; notify the privileged device that prioritised access to the wireless local area network is available; process a response from the privileged device; and if the response is indicative of a request for prioritised access, change at least one operating parameter of the wireless local area network to provide prioritised access to the wireless local area network for the privileged device, and wherein the wireless local area network monitor is further operable to notify the network controller when the network utilisation falls below a second threshold level of activity and in response the network controller is operable to disable the prioritised access for the privileged device. access the data store to determine that at least one privileged device is currently present on the wireless local area network; notify the privileged device that prioritised access to the wireless local area network is available; process a response from the privileged device; and if the response is indicative of a request for prioritised access, change at least one operating parameter of the wireless local area network to provide prioritised access to the wireless local area network for the privileged device, and wherein the wireless local area network monitor is further operable to notify the network controller when the network utilisation falls below a second threshold level of activity and in response the network controller is operable to disable the prioritised access for the privileged device. <EOS>