Mode steering in a wireless communication network includes configuring a list of neighboring access points and their operational modes. If an operational mode of a requesting mobile device can not be supported by the access point, denying the association. If an operational mode of a requesting mobile device matches a highest operational mode of the access point, allowing the association. If the operational mode of the mobile device is not the same as the highest operational mode of the access point, and if any neighboring access point has an available operational mode matching that of the mobile device, denying the association, so as to steer the requesting mobile device to the matching neighboring access point.