Power load balancing in cellular networks

In one aspect, a system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of wireless base stations that are located in a contiguous spatial coverage region of a cellular communication system. Each wireless base station that is configured to generate a coverage pilot beam to enable wireless mobile devices to set up spread spectrum wireless communication links with the generating wireless base station. The wireless base stations are configured to transmit data to the wireless mobile devices to cause a portion of the wireless mobile devices to reselect ones of wireless base stations for wireless communication links in a manner that reduces power load imbalances between the wireless base stations. The transmitted data is indicative of a set of shadow prices, wherein each of the wireless base stations is associated with a corresponding one of the shadow prices.