Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the presence of broadcast receivers, such as mobile communication devices, within a communication network and transitioning to selective communications to one or more of the receivers. The method including sending a broadcast query to a plurality of mobile units (“MUs”), receiving at least one response from each at least one of the MUs, each of the responses specifying whether each of the at least one MU that can receive a broadcast transmission, and indicating to a user whether any of the MUs responded to the broadcast query. Described is a further method including receiving a broadcast transmission from an MU, sending a request to the MU to conduct a private communication session, and conducting the private communication session with the MU. Described is a device including means for determining whether further devices can receive a broadcast transmission from the device, and means for transitioning from a broadcast communication session to a private communication session.