In some embodiments described herein, a system is used to perform one or more of the aspects of present disclosure described by the various embodiments herein. The system includes an access node, the access node including one or more multi-element antennas for communicating in a wireless network using at least two communication protocols. The system further includes a processing node coupled to the access node, the processing node receiving a request from a wireless device to operate in the wireless network using a first protocol of the at least two communication protocols, determining whether allowing the requesting wireless device to operate in the wireless network using the first communication protocol causes a value associated with data rate for a set of wireless devices in the wireless network using the first communication protocol to exceed a threshold value, and providing instructions to the access node to adjust an operating parameter of a multi-element antenna for communicating signals between the access node and a plurality of wireless devices in the wireless network using the first communication protocol when the value associated with data rate for a set of wireless devices in the wireless network using the first communication protocol exceeds the threshold value. The access node may include additional electrical elements used in conjunction with general wireless communication technology as well as specific electrical elements necessary for operation in specific types of wireless communication networks. The processing node further may include one or more processors as well as other elements necessary to perform the operations as described above.