A digital radio communication system includes a receiver for receiving a signal stream that includes data frames, each frame including a data signal sequence and a synchronizing signal sequence. The communication system synchronizes the receiver by employing the signal stream and comprises: a sampling circuit for sampling symbol levels in the synchronizing signal sequence; cross correlation circuitry for comparing values derived from the sampled symbol levels with an expected set of values and producing an error value output; and correction circuitry that is responsive to the error output and produces a sample control output to the sample circuitry to alter the times of sampling of the symbol levels so as to reduce the error output and achieve time synchronization with the received synchronizing signal sequence. A further embodiment of the invention is described in relation to a CDMA receiving system.