A method for controlling a wireless communications system is provided. A plurality of substantially identical base stations, each capable of being operated as both a primary agent and a secondary agent are deployed. The secondary agent is capable of communicating with a mobile device and the primary agent is capable of communicating with a network. A network active set associated with a mobile device is formed from a plurality of the base stations. One of the base stations in the network active set is selected to operate as the primary agent, and it communicates to the other base stations that the selected base station is operating as the primary agent. Thus, communications between the network and the mobile device are routed through the primary agent and the selected secondary agent.