Managing access node channel loading

A system for managing a loading of an access node channel, comprising:

• a processing node configured to
• determine that a first channel loading of a first access node channel meets a loading threshold;
• identify a plurality of first wireless devices in active communication over the first access node channel, wherein each wireless device in the plurality of first wireless devices comprises an application running on the wireless device that comprises an application requirement which meets an application requirement criteria;
• rank the plurality of first wireless devices into a first order based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) assigned to each wireless device in active communication over the first access node channel;
• rank the plurality of first wireless devices into a second order within the first order based on an indication of an amount of data pending transmission from each wireless device in active communication over the first access node channel when two or more wireless devices are assigned the same MCS;
• instruct the plurality of first wireless devices ranked into the second order to operate on a second access node channel until the first channel loading does not meet the loading threshold or until no wireless devices ranked into the second order remain in the second order;
• determine that a plurality of second wireless devices cease to be in active communication with the first access node channel;
• rank the plurality of second wireless devices into a third order based on an application requirement of each wireless device in the plurality of second wireless devices;
• and
• instruct the plurality of second wireless devices ranked into the third order to operate on the second access node channel until the first access node channel loading does not meet the loading threshold.