Wireless mobile unit communication initiation is provided in a radio network that has a plurality of base stations, each providing wireless communication services in a respective geographic coverage. The wireless communication is established by first transmitting an omnidirectional sounding pulse from a wireless mobile unit. Information related to the detected sounding pulse is communicated to an interface by each base station detecting the sounding pulse. One of the base stations that detected the sounding pulse is selected for mobile unit communication based on the communicated information and directs a communication beam to the mobile unit to establish wireless communication. Alternatively, one or more of the base stations that detected the sounding pulse direct a communication beam to the mobile unit and the mobile unit selects unit the base station with which it is to establish wireless communication. Preferably, smart antennas, including directional beamforming capability, are employed by the base stations.