A wireless communication network comprising: a first access node ; and a second access node , wherein the first access node and the second access node are configured to directly wirelessly communicate with user equipment ; wherein the second access node , when directly wirelessly communicating with the user equipment , is configured to: receive one or more measurement reports; determine, based on a strength of a connection between the user equipment and the second access node , that the user equipment should communicate over a different connection; in response to the determination that the user equipment should communicate over the different connection and based on the one or more measurement reports, communicate, to the first access node , an assistance request to communicate one or more data packets to the user equipment ; and wherein the first access node is configured to: buffer the one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets before receiving the assistance request from the second access node ; and in response to receiving the assistance request, establish direct wireless communication with the user equipment and communicate the one or more data packets to the user equipment . a first access node ; and a second access node , wherein the first access node and the second access node are configured to directly wirelessly communicate with user equipment ; wherein the second access node , when directly wirelessly communicating with the user equipment , is configured to: receive one or more measurement reports; determine, based on a strength of a connection between the user equipment and the second access node , that the user equipment should communicate over a different connection; in response to the determination that the user equipment should communicate over the different connection and based on the one or more measurement reports, communicate, to the first access node , an assistance request to communicate one or more data packets to the user equipment ; and receive one or more measurement reports; determine, based on a strength of a connection between the user equipment and the second access node , that the user equipment should communicate over a different connection; in response to the determination that the user equipment should communicate over the different connection and based on the one or more measurement reports, communicate, to the first access node , an assistance request to communicate one or more data packets to the user equipment ; and wherein the first access node is configured to: buffer the one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets before receiving the assistance request from the second access node ; and in response to receiving the assistance request, establish direct wireless communication with the user equipment and communicate the one or more data packets to the user equipment . buffer the one or more data packets of the plurality of data packets before receiving the assistance request from the second access node ; and in response to receiving the assistance request, establish direct wireless communication with the user equipment and communicate the one or more data packets to the user equipment . <EOS>