A base station is configured to reduce interference with other base stations and/or devices in a multi-cell wireless network. The base station includes a wireless interface, detector and controller. To reduce interference, the wireless interface may provide services to a first wireless communication device (WCD) using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a reduced power level. In the reduced pilot signal mode, when the detector detects a second WCD within the base station's service area, the controller increases the pilot signal's power level above the reduced power level in order to establish communications with the second WCD. Upon successfully connecting to the first and second WCDs, the base station may again reduce the pilot signal's power level to reduce interference with other base stations or wireless devices.