A wireless communication network is served by a plurality of network paths between network control nodes and base stations, wherein the network paths each include a plurality of backhaul links. A backhaul link termination system comprises a communication interface and a processing system. The communication interface is configured to receive architecture information that individually associates the backhaul links with the network paths, and to receive communication loading data and cost data for each of the backhaul links. The processing system is configured to process the architecture information, the loading data, and the cost data to identify a set of the backhaul links for termination.