A method of providing precise common timing in a wireless communications network including at least one timing marker unit with a precise common time source, e.g., GPS. Wireless mobile units and/or timing marker units periodically measure transmission timing differences between pairs of neighboring base stations and each provide the measurements to a base station or central network entity. Timing marker units measure timing associations and return the results. An absolute transmission timing difference (ATD) is determined for each base station timing difference measurement. ATDs are collected and combined for each pair of base stations. A timing relationship is developed for all base stations from the combined ATDs, relating transmission timing of non-reference base stations to reference base stations. Timing associations are extracted for non-reference base stations from these timing difference relationships and the timing associations for the reference base stations.