A system and method are provided in which each reader may conduct concurrent, yet independent, dialog with multiple tags at the same time using two or more phase channels. The reader itself may communicate with multiple tags via the same antenna, or using multiple antennae where each antenna operates on a separate phase channel. Upon receipt from the reader of an instruction for the tags to randomize, the tags randomly choose and assign a phase channel that will be their time reference for subsequent operation, or the channel can be assigned by the reader. The tags receive reader data encoded in the clock signal from the reader, and select the reader data pertaining to the particular tag based on the selected phase channel.