Method of reducing active cellular connections in a wireless network

A system for communication with a wireless device, comprising:

• a processing node configured to
• receive a scanning report from each of a plurality of wireless devices in communication with a first access node using a first radio access technology, the scanning report including an identifier associated with one or more monitored second access nodes configured to use a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology;
• group, based on a predetermined geographical location of each of the plurality of wireless devices, the one or more monitored second access nodes common to each of the plurality of wireless devices;
• select a second access node from the group of one or more monitored second access nodes to initiate communications with the first access node over a communication link based on the scanning report received from each of the plurality of wireless devices;
• instruct the plurality of wireless devices to establish communications with the selected second access node using the second radio access technology;
• and
• adjust a bandwidth allocation of the communication link based on the plurality of wireless devices, wherein the communication link uses the first radio access technology.