Embodiments describe methods and apparatuses for a software-defined cellular system with distributed antennas and baseband units (BBUs). The BBUs may be implemented with software defined network (SDN) technology in some embodiments. Embodiments include provision of a dynamic connection between distributed antennas and a BBU to serve a scheduled UE. In some embodiments, a BBU may select a scheduling set of antennas that may provide a desired connection with the UE. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.