Disclosed is a system and methods for creating and maintaining a virtual subnetwork of telecommunication base stations within a wider telecommunication network. In an LTE-based example, the subnetwork includes a connection aggregator that is coupled between the plurality of eNodeBs internal to the subnetwork and one or more MMEs in the outer network. The connection aggregator intercepts all control plane messages between the MMEs and the internal eNodeBs, remaps eNodeB identifiers, and transmits repackaged messages so that the outer network sees the entire subnetwork as a single “giant” eNodeB. The disclosed system and methods enables the operator of the virtual subnetwork to add and shut down eNodeBs as demand for connectivity fluctuates, and to do so such that all changes are unseen by the outer network.