In a method and apparatus for optimizing a data link between a mobile station and a main base station, the link is formed by an uplink radio signal from the mobile station and a downlink radio signal from the main base station, both of which include frames that carry data and protocol information. A radio receiver of a complementary receiving station has an antenna system for receiving both the downlink radio signal and uplink radio signal. An interface circuit cooperates with a baseband processor for decoding the uplink radio signal based on information obtained from decoding the downlink radio signal. The interface circuit enables establishment of a separate data link between the complementary receiving station and the main base stations, for transmitting information obtained from decoding the uplink radio signal.