A mobile communications system includes a first base station to service a first set of connections from a first set of mobile communications devices to a communications network. A set of neighboring base stations is in communication with the first base station. In an embodiment of the invention, the first base station prioritizes the first set of connections according to first predetermined criteria and prioritizes the set of neighboring base stations according to second predetermined criteria. The prioritization lists are used in deterministic ways to alleviate potential congestion in backhaul links and optimize the overall performance of system and improved quality of service.