You can use RF communication for data & remote controlling.[example zigbee]. The remote control is also a kind of data communication which is generate & transmit a ID by a transmitter & the receiver will receive & decode the data...
It depends on what modules you are using and which complier ?
Zigbee and similar can use simple Usart serial data , encoding etc is built into them.
If you use the cheaper ASK type RF modules then you need to add you own encoding like the Manchester, otherwise your signas just get lost in all the other airwaves.