Certain aspects relate to techniques and apparatus for network synchronization by network listening. Aspects include transmitting a synchronization signal for a base station (BS) to use for acquiring synchronization with the network. Aspects include listening for a synchronization signal from a BS to use for acquiring network synchronization. In aspects, a method for wireless communications by a BS is provided. The method generally includes acquiring synchronization with a network based on a first synchronization signal transmitted from a primary BS or a secondary BS, determining a synchronization stratum for the BS based on whether the BS acquired synchronization with the network from the primary BS or from the secondary BS, and transmitting a second synchronization signal for one or more other BSs to use for acquiring synchronization with the network, wherein the transmitting is based, at least in part on the determined synchronization stratum.