Patent attributes
Systems and methods include an access layer to perform handovers for a User Equipment (UE) using a mobility status of the UE. A source access node (e.g., a femto cell, small cell, or a macro cell) establishes a first network connection with the UE. Based on a mobility status of the UE, the source access node selects either a small cell access node or a macro cell access node as a target node for connecting to the UE with a handover (e.g., by establishing a second network connection with the UE). The UE may have a medium mobility status or a high mobility status and, in response, be connected to the macro cell access cell for continuous connectivity. Alternatively, the UE may have the low mobility status and, in response, a signal strength analysis of the access nodes may be performed to select the target node for the handover.