Communication connection control in a non-homogenous network scenario

An apparatus for use with a second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in at least one second network area which does not provide a specific communication capability or function, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one processing circuitry, and
• at least one non-transitory memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry,
• wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:
• to receive and process, in case a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function enters from a first network area providing the specific communication capability or function into the at least one second network area and switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated, a request from a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the first network area to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element by starting a dual or multi connectivity communication,
• wherein the switched mode involves that:
• at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and
• wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer.

A method for use in a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in a first network area providing a specific communication capability or function, the method comprising:

• determining that a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function communicating in the first network area and using the specific communication capability or function enters at least one second network area which does not provide the specific communication capability or function and that a switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated,
• causing to send a request, to at least one second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the at least one second network area, to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function with starting a dual or multi connectivity communication,
• wherein the switched mode involves that at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the at least one second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and
• wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the at least one second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer.

A method for use in a second communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of at least one communication element or function in at least one second network area which does not provide a specific communication capability or function, the method comprising:

• receiving and processing, in case a communication element or function of the at least one communication element or function using the specific communication capability or function enters from a first network area providing the specific communication capability or function into the at least one second network area and switching of the communication connection to the at least one second network area is initiated, a request from a first communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection of the communication element or function in the first network area to conduct a switched mode for providing service continuity for the communication element with starting a dual or multi connectivity communication,
• wherein the switched mode involves that:
• at least one split or switched bearer is established to the communication element or function with the second communication network control element or function via which the communication element or function communicates with at least one of the first network area or the at least one second network area, and
• wherein data traffic for the continued service using the specific communication capability or function is transmitted to or from the communication element of function from or to the first communication network control element or function via the second communication network control element or function using the at least one split or switched bearer.