Frequency-selective phase shifts are applied to signals transmitted from multiple transmission points involved in a coordinated (joint) transmission to a given UE. An eNodeB or other network node controlling the joint transmission artificially induces frequency selectivity between signals received by the UE in joint transmission from different transmission points, so as to ensure an even balance between constructive and destructive combination over frequency. By applying frequency-selective phase shifts (e.g., pseudo-random phase shifts) to the different transmission points that perform joint transmission, the signals from the different transmission points are forced to combine at the UE in a non-coherent manner. As a result, uncertainty in how the signals combine is drastically reduced, since it can be expected that the signals will always combine incoherently. The reduced uncertainty translates to reduced back-off offset in the link adaptation, and thus in an increased throughput.