Prior to being admitted into the network, a base station establishes a set of operating parameters. Next, a search is performed to determine the presence and configuration of neighboring base stations and current network conditions. Based on the search results, an improved operating configuration is determined for the base station and the base station's operating parameters are adjusted. Once the base station is admitted to and is operating in the network, the base station continues to monitor neighboring base stations and network conditions and adjusts its operating parameters accordingly.