Aspects of selecting a base station for a UE device are described. The UE device or a wireless network component (e.g., a base station) can determine RF uplink use values of a coverage area. The RF uplink use values can be received from one or more base stations and can be based on a subframe or other time segment. A processor can determine a base station having a greatest number of subframes with at least one resource block available. If the base stations have an equal number of subframes having at least one resource block available, the processor can determine which base station has a greatest number of subframes having at least two resource blocks available (or three, etc. if additional ties exist). A selection of the base station can be based on the processor's determination and whether the UE device is located within an edge of a coverage area.