This application provide example mobility management methods, access network control devices, and communications systems. One example method includes receiving, by an access network control device, a location area request message of user equipment (UE) through a first station, where the UE is located in a cell managed by the first station. The access network control device can configure at least one location area identity list for the UE based on the location area request message, where the location area identity list includes at least one location area identity, and the location area identity is used to identify a location area. The access network control device can then send the at least one location area identity list to the UE through the first station.