In one example embodiment, a method includes obtaining a duration of a first network element scanning period of a first network element for a plurality of first beacons, the plurality of first beacons associated with the different direct energy beams, scanning for the plurality of first beacons over a second network element scanning period of a second network element, the second network element scanning period including a number of first network element scanning periods, the first network element scanning period being part of the number of the first network element scanning periods, receiving at least one of the plurality of first beacons during the number of the first network element scanning periods, determining a preferred first beacon based on the received at least one of the plurality of first beacons and transmitting an indication of the preferred first beacon to a base station.