Disclosed embodiments include a system and method for prioritizing access requests from a plurality of remote units, wherein the access requests are requests for uplink access in a fixed wireless network. In one embodiment, the system receives an access request from at least two remote units. The system also receives a priority request from the remote units, which may be separate or related to the access requests. The system analyzes the access requests based on the priority requests and determines which remote units will be granted uplink access to the network. The system then transmits an indication of at least one remote unit that is allowed to transmit on an uplink channel. In one embodiment, the access request and priority request are encompassed within two or more tones transmitted from a remote unit. Many other alternatives and alternative embodiments are also disclosed.