Use of buffer occupancy as a basis to control configuration of dual-connectivity service

A method for controlling configuration of dual-connectivity service for a user equipment device (UE), wherein the dual-connectivity service comprises the UE being served concurrently over a first connection according to a first radio access technology (RAT) and over a second connection according to a second RAT, the method comprising, while the UE has the first connection with a first base station:

• determining a buffer occupancy of a candidate second base station;
• using the determined buffer occupancy of the candidate second base station as a basis to make a decision of whether to configure the dual-connectivity service with the UE having the second connection with the candidate second base station, wherein configuring the dual-connectivity service with the UE having the second connection with the second base station comprises coordinating establishment for the UE of the second connection with the candidate second base station;
• and
• controlling configuration of the dual-connectivity service for the UE in accordance with the decision.

In a wireless communication system comprising a first base station configured to provide service according to a first radio access technology (RAT) and a second base station configured to provide service according to a second RAT, the first base station comprising:

• a wireless communication interface through which to engage in air-interface communication and provide the service according to the first RAT;
• a controller, wherein the controller is configured to carry out operations when a user equipment device (UE) is has a first connection with the first base station according to the first RAT, the operations including:
• determining a buffer occupancy of the second base station,
• using the determined buffer occupancy of the second base station as a basis to make a decision of whether to configure for the UE dual-connectivity service in which the UE is served concurrently over the first connection with the first base station according to the first RAT and over a second connection with the second base station according the second RAT, wherein configuring the dual-connectivity service includes coordinating establishment of the second connection, and
• controlling configuration of the dual-connectivity service for the UE in accordance with the decision.