Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by a first access node in an access network, such as by an eNodeB in an LTE network, in order to determine an uplink coordinated multipoint (CoMP) mode for one or more other access nodes with which the given access node is coordinating. An example method involves: (a) determining, by a first access node, a central processing unit (CPU) load of a second access node, (b) based at least in part on the CPU load of the second access node, the first access node selecting a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) mode from a plurality of CoMP modes, and (c) sending a CoMP-mode message from the first access node, wherein the CoMP-mode message instructs the second access node to use the selected CoMP mode.