In wireless operating environments, wireless user devices are often within the coverage area of multiple base stations. The base station providing the best uplink for the user device may be different than the base station providing the best downlink for the user device. Systems and techniques for asymmetric uplink and downlink communications for a user device are provided. In embodiments, the user device initially synchronizes with a base station. Both the uplink and downlink are initially served by this base station. A determination is then made whether to handoff the downlink for the user device to another base station. When a determination is indicated, the downlink is handed off to the second base station. Thereafter, periodic measurements are made. The determinations whether to handoff the uplink and downlink for the user device are made independently.