Embodiments describe example radio access networks where uplink and downlink communications operate asymmetrically. In one embodiment, an inverse fast Fourier transform and an add cyclic prefix operation is performed on a downlink communications by a baseband unit. In an uplink communication using the same baseband unit, a corresponding fast Fourier transform and a remove cyclic prefix operation are performed at a remote radio unit. This generates different levels of traffic on a physical communication link between the baseband unit and the remote radio unit for uplink and downlink communications with similar characteristics.