Systems and methods for selecting a communication mode in a wireless network (10) include a communication mode selection procedure that may be carried out by the respective devices in an automated manner to identify a desired mode for communication between an electronic device (14) and a network node (12). Determining the desired mode for communication is based on the electronic device's (14) capabilities and/or the channel conditions of the communication channel between the electronic device (14) and the network node (12). The procedures described herein may allow for the high data rates associated with polarization based MIMO (P-MIMO) in capably equipped electronic devices (14) while preventing communication interruptions due to unfavorable channel conditions.