An assignment of an uplink resource on which to send an uplink synchronization signal is transmitted to a user equipment. The user equipment sends on the uplink resource an uplink synchronization signal. From the uplink synchronization signal is determined a timing advance for the user equipment. Various indications are used to indicate to the user equipment that the assignment of uplink resources is for the purpose of sending its synchronization signal, such as expiration of its timing advance timer, a field in the allocation table that assigns the uplink resources, or explicit signaling from the network. Methods, devices, and computer program products are detailed for both network and user equipment embodiments.