Embodiments are provided for supporting multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs) using a common backhaul transport network. A relay node is configured to instantiate a virtual-user equipment (V-UE) layer for a UE, upon determining that the UE uses a different RAT than the backhaul transport network. A connection is then established between the V-UE layer and a V-UE gateway using a pre-existing radio interface between the relay node and a base station. Upon receiving data from the UE, the relay node translates the data into a RAT format supported by the backhaul transport network, and sends the data on the connection via the base station, wherein the RAT format of the UE is transparent to the base station. A generic access network controller is also configured to connect and exchange signaling with the relay node to establish a service for the UE and configure radio resource on the relay node.