Optimizing handovers in a communication network

Systems, methods, and software are provided to manage a handover of a mobile communication device from a source base station to a target base station. In an embodiment, a method comprises exchanging wireless communications between a plurality of mobile communication devices and a first base station system, processing the communications to determine a plurality of mobility profiles associated with the plurality of mobile communication devices served by the first base station system. A handover request to handover a mobile communication device from a second base station system to the first base station system is received. The plurality of mobility profiles are processed to select a candidate mobile communication device from the plurality of mobile communication devices. A handover of the candidate mobile communication device is initiated from the first base station system to a target base station system.