Method and apparatus for selecting network and distributing traffic in heterogeneous communication environment

A terminal in a communication system, the terminal comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• at least one processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:
• receive, from a base station, a system information block including first radio access network (RAN) assistance information,
• receive, from the base station, a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message including second RAN assistance information,
• identify whether a timer associated with the second RAN assistance information expires,
• identify whether cell reselection occurs in case that the timer associated with the second RAN assistance information does not expire, and
• based on the cell reselection occurring:
• stop the timer associated with the second RAN assistance information, and
• discard the second RAN assistance information and apply the first RAN assistance information.