The cell searcher module (CSM) of a wireless communication device detects that the device is in coverage region of an eNB by processing received signal associated with the primary synchronization (PSCH) and secondary synchronization (SSCH) sequences transmitted by the eNB. The wireless device determines whether candidate SCH signals from candidate neighbor cells are synchronous with SCH sequences from the serving cell by implementing one of three methods. In a first method, the CSM generates a joint estimate of the received power of SSCH sequences corresponding to already detected/identified serving cell and a hypothetical neighbor cell. In a second method, the CSM re-constructs SCH sequences corresponding to already detected cells and subtracts the re-constructed SCH sequences from the received signal to obtain a residual signal with reduced serving cell interference. In a third embodiment, the CSM performs a correlation of estimated channel responses to determine whether the neighbor cell is present.