A two-step uplink synchronization method is provided for uplink synchronization between a mobile station and a pico/femto base station that is deployed together with an overlay macro/micro base station. In a first step, the pico/femto BS encodes and broadcasts UL transmission timing advance offset information via a broadcast channel. The MS decodes the received UL transmission timing advance offset information and advances its uplink timing for uplink ranging or reference signal transmission based on the decoded offset value. In a second step, the MS and the pico/femto BS performs regular uplink synchronization and uplink access. In one example, the UL transmission timing advance offset information indicates a round-trip propagation time of radio signals between the pico/femto base station and the overlay macro/micro base station. By using the two-step uplink synchronization method, a unified synchronous ranging channel may be used for ranging and UL access in pico/femtocells with reduced interference.