Transmission of candidate-sector signalling channels are synchronized to facilitate mobile-assisted handoff (MAHO) measurements by a mobile (125). Transmitters in candidate sectors each transmit their signalling channel at distinct frequencies and at predetermined intervals. The transmission of each signalling channel by each candidate sector transmitter is synchronized to provide a known reference to the mobile (125). When instructed, the mobile (125) need only to perform MAHO measurements at the predetermined intervals in the order and at the frequency instructed.