A communications system provides a robust and fast inter-base station handoff mechanism, e.g. for networks using Enhanced Base Stations (EBS) equipment. A method for connecting a mobile device to a destination base station in the wireless communications system, may include steps of receiving a mobile device measurement report, transferring context information from a serving base station to possible target base stations, and receiving admission control information from possible target base stations. A priority list of the possible target base stations is calculated and sent to the mobile device. The mobile device connects to one or more of possible target base stations according to the priority list. The method may also entail receiving a release message from one of the possible target base stations to which the mobile device has successfully established a wireless connection, to allow release of resources of the prior serving base station.