A user equipment apparatus (UE) includes processor(s) and memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the UE to: establish a connection with a first network node via a serving cell, where the first network node supports the serving cell and supports at least one of distributed unit functionality or a layer 2 protocol of a radio access network (RAN); receive, from a second network node supporting at least one of central unit control plane functionality or a layer 3 protocol of the RAN, a radio resource control (RRC) message including configuration information relating to timing advance, where the configuration information prepares the UE for at least one candidate target cell with which the UE may connect, where the RRC message is received prior to the UE connecting with any of the at least one candidate target cell; and implement a configuration based on the configuration information.