Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining dual connectivity values for neighbor cells of a serving cell of a wireless network. A dual connectivity capability is determined of a wireless device that engages in wireless communications coordinated by the serving cell. A target cell of the neighbor cells is determined based on a dual connectivity value. Initiation of a dual connectivity service is facilitated based on the wireless device via the target cell, wherein the target cell serves as a master cell of the dual connectivity service, and wherein the dual connectivity service includes exchanging user plane messages between the wireless device, the master cell and a secondary cell of the wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.