Abstract: To address challenges in existing 5G wireless networks, a new wireless backhaul scheme, referred to as Fast Wireless Backhaul (FWB), is described. More specifically, in order to reduce handover delays in a network including a gateway device, at least two base stations, and a user equipment device, one of a group of the base stations selected is identified as a primary base station, and each of the other of the group of base stations selected is identified as a secondary base station. A control plane wireless connection is maintained between the user equipment device and each of the preferred base stations selected. A data plane wireless connection is maintained only between the user equipment device and the primary base station.