Method of performing handover in a wireless communication network

A method of performing a handover in a wireless communication network, comprising:

• receiving at a controller node a first request to establish a first logical communication link between a first access node and a gateway such that data addressed to a wireless device in communication with the first access node is communicated over the first logical communication link;
• receiving at the controller node from a second access node a second request to establish a second logical communication link between the second access node and the gateway such that data addressed to the wireless device is communicated over the second logical communication link and to release the first logical communication link between the first access node and the gateway;
• initiating a timer after receiving the second request, wherein the timer is based on a mobility of the wireless device and a load of the wireless communication network;
• instructing the gateway to establish the second logical communication link with the second access node after initiating the timer;
• and
• instructing the first access node to release the first logical communication link with the gateway after the timer expires.