Adaptive energy detection (ED) threshold medium access is discussed based on deployment and traffic type. The network nodes sharing a shared communication network are configured with multiple discrete ED thresholds or a range of ED values. As a transmitting node prepares to attempt access to the shared communication spectrum, it identifies an access trigger condition within the network. Such a condition may include traffic type, deployment, or access conditions. In response to detecting an access trigger condition, the transmitting node may select an ED threshold associated with the access trigger condition. Alternatively, upon detection of the access trigger condition, the transmitting node may implement a random ED threshold from the candidate range of ED threshold values.