Patent ID: 8369337

Claim:
A method for assigning a wireless communication device (WCD) to a wireless coverage area, wherein a radio access network (RAN) radiates to define a first wireless coverage area and a second wireless coverage area, the method comprising: the RAN receiving, from the WCD, a connection request message that specifies a plurality of candidate wireless coverage areas including the first wireless coverage area and the second wireless coverage area, and that functions to request assignment of the WCD to any one of the specified candidate wireless coverage areas; the RAN determining an early termination gain (ETG) respectively associated with each of the specified candidate wireless coverage areas, including a first ETG associated with the first wireless coverage area and a second ETG associated with the second wireless coverage area; responsive to the connection request, the RAN (i) selecting one of the first wireless coverage area and the second wireless coverage area based on the determined ETGs, and (ii) assigning the WCD to the selected wireless coverage area; and after assigning the WCD to the selected wireless coverage area, the RAN exchanging bearer traffic with the WCD via the selected wireless coverage area.