A list of candidate basic service sets (BSSs) or access points (APs) is included in a medium access control (MAC) message which is received at a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The list includes an identity of each candidate BSS or AP and a preference indicator which indicates an extent that the candidate BSS or AP is preferred for selection and whether the candidate BSS or AP shall not be considered for selection. A BSS or AP is selected by the WTRU using the list.