Abstract: Systems, computer-readable media, and methods for selecting channel bandwidths to a user equipment (UE) device for carrying out a communication session. Selection of the channel bandwidth can be based on a data-usage tendency of the UE device. The data-usage tendency can indicate a data-usage rate of the UE device or a set of user equipment devices similar to the UE device. The channel bandwidth can comprise a plurality of subcarriers. Two or more of the subcarriers can be adjacent to one another or be separated by one or more subcarriers of a channel bandwidth assigned or assignable to another UE device for another communication session. A processor that selects the channel bandwidth can further base its selection on a service plan associated with the UE device and load conditions of frequency bands of a radio access network.

Abstract: System and methods for switching operating modes of a radio access node to increase data throughput for a user-equipment device are described. The radio access node can detect operating conditions to trigger switching from one operating mode to another. In a first operating mode, the radio access node can transmit non-bearer data, such as synchronization signals, to a UE device using a particular forward-link air interface resources. In response to detecting the defined condition(s), the radio access node can switch to a second operating mode in which the radio access node begins transmitting bearer data using the particular forward-link air interface resources used to transmit the non-bearer data while operating in the first operating mode. Upon detecting other operating condition(s), the radio access node can switch back to operating in the first operating mode. The radio access node can be configured as an eNodeB.