After a base station (101) receives a communication initiation request from a remote unit (113), the base station determines (101) those base stations (101-103) that are capable of supporting communication with the remote unit (113). The eligible base stations (Active Set) are instructed to "listen" for communication from the remote unit (113), and the remote unit (113) is provided the Active Set. Once the remote unit (113) receives the Active Set of base stations, the remote unit then determines the base station (103) having the best radio environment characteristics, and begins communication with that base station (103).