A system and method for an adaptive network of network access nodes comprises a global network operations center (GNOC) receiving operator inputs and generating a global policy according to the operator inputs. The GNOC and/or a distributed network gateway (GW) generate configuration commands for configurations for at least one of the network access nodes based on the global policy, transmit the configuration commands to at least one of the network access nodes, and receive telemetry from at least one of the network access nodes. The distributed network GW transmits a summary of key performance indicators (KPIs) to the GNOC and the GNOC revises the global policy according to the summary of KPIs.