A technique is disclosed to minimize service interruption at a wireless user equipment device during a handover by maintaining dual active connections during the handover. Upon initiating the handover, an initial/first connection with a first access node is maintained while establishing a second connection with a second access node. The user equipment device can receive data over the first connection and second connection during the handover. The first connection may be terminated (by the user equipment device or by timing out due to inactivity) after the handover is completed. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.