Various communication systems may benefit from improved communications for a cloud radio access network. For example, certain communication systems may benefit from an improved S1 interface that connects a network entity to front ends in a cloud radio access network. A method, in certain embodiments, may include receiving at least one setup message at a network entity from a plurality of front ends. Multiple connections may be established between the network entity and the plurality of front ends. The method may also include choosing at least one of the multiple connections to transmit another message to one of the plurality of front ends which map back to a common set of at least one radio access points, network nodes, or cells, and transmitting the another message through the chosen one of the multiple connections to the common set of at least one radio access points, network nodes, or cells.