A wireless telephony communications system includes at least one macro cell for communicating both voice and data with a mobile communications device across a first wireless link and at least one micro cell for communicating data with the mobile communications device across a second wireless communication link. Each micro cell communicates signaling information through the macro cell via a wireless link to a control element that manages the micro cells. Using a wireless link to communicate signaling between each micro cell and the control element in the UMTS system eliminates the need for a wired back haul link, thereby reducing access costs.