Improved systems and techniques for dual connection to a wireless communications network. In a wireless network comprising one or more macro base stations and secondary base stations, a user device indicates capability to operate and readiness to initiate an alternative multipath transfer control protocol connection. Radio access network procedures provide for communication between a core network, radio access network, and user device to indicate that bearers are being used for, or authorized for use in, an alternative multipath connection and to establish a radio bearer context. In embodiments of the invention, a bearer for alternative multipath connection is established only when a secondary base station becomes available and when a network operator has allowed the use of multipath connection. When a user device indicates that it is ready for multipath connections, core network elements establish bearers, with the alternative connection released when connection to the secondary base station is lost.