Embodiments include methods, in a base station operating in a wireless communications network, for over-the-air synchronization with a cell served by a further base station. Such methods include receiving time synchronization information and muting availability information associated with a plurality of further base stations serving a plurality of cells. Such methods also include determining that a cell served by a first further base station is a preferred synchronization source cell for the base station, and sending, to one or more second further base stations, respective requests to activate muting in one or more of the cells served by the second further base stations. Embodiments include complementary methods performed by a further base station, and base stations configured to perform operations corresponding to the exemplary methods.