Various embodiments relate to simultaneously communicating with multiple base stations in an OFDM system. Each mobile terminal measures pilot signal strengths of transmissions from adjacent base stations. If the pilot signal strength for a base station exceeds the defined threshold, that base station is added to an active set list. Each mobile terminal notifies the base stations of their active set lists. By providing the set list to the base station controller and the servicing base station, the mobile terminal identifies the sole servicing base station or triggers a mode in which the mobile terminal simultaneously communicates with multiple base stations when the multiple base stations appear on the active set list. This mode uses a combination of scheduling and space-time coding to affect efficient and reliable (simultaneous) communication with the multiple base stations.