A network element may provide communications with a wireless communications network including a plurality of pooled mobile switching centers coupled to a base station controller so that each of the plurality of pooled mobile switching centers is configured to control communications with respective wireless terminals communicating through the base station controller. Operations of the network element may include transmitting a ping message from the network element to a primary pooled mobile switching center of the plurality of pooled mobile switching centers. Responsive to receipt of a ping response message at the network element from the primary pooled mobile switching center, a communication may be transmitted from the network element to the primary pooled mobile switching center. Responsive to non-receipt of a ping response message at the network element from the primary pooled mobile switching center, the communication may be transmitted from the network element to a secondary pooled mobile switching center of the plurality of pooled mobile switching centers.