Method and apparatus for implementing efficient switching on a split bearer

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code,
• the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to
• configure a radio bearer, wherein the radio bearer is configured with a first data path between the apparatus and a first network node, and the radio bearer is also configured with a second data path between the apparatus and a second network node, the radio bearer is configured for a switching operation, and the switching operation comprises an operation where data unit transmission is restricted to be towards only one of the first data path and the second data path;
• first transmit on the radio bearer towards the first data path;
• perform the switching operation, wherein the transmitting towards the first data path is switched to transmitting towards the second data path, wherein, when the switching operation is performed, protocol data units are retransmitted by the apparatus, the retransmitted protocol data units being protocol data units for which a confirmation of successful transmission was not obtained;
• and
• second transmit on the radio bearer towards the second data path.

A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product configured to control a processor to perform:

• configuring a radio bearer, wherein the radio bearer is configured with a first data path between a user equipment and a first network node, and the radio bearer is also configured with a second data path between the user equipment and a second network node, the radio bearer is configured for a switching operation, and the switching operation comprises an operation where data transmission is restricted to be towards only one of the first data path and the second data path;
• first transmitting on the radio bearer towards the first data path;
• performing the switching operation, wherein the transmitting towards the first data path is switched by the user equipment to transmitting towards the second data path, wherein, when the switching operation is performed, protocol data units are retransmitted by the user equipment, the retransmitted protocol data units being protocol data units for which a confirmation of successful transmission was not obtained;
• and
• second transmitting on the radio bearer towards the second data path.