An example technique is provided that includes establishing a multi-cell communication session for a user device, the multi-cell communication session including a plurality of wireless connections that include a wireless connection between the user device and each of a plurality of cells in a same frequency layer, wherein the plurality of cells are used to transmit data to or receive data from the user device using a coordinated multi-cell communication technique, and performing, by the user device, communication session failure detection for the multi-cell communication session taking into account signal gains provided by the coordinated multi-cell communication technique.