Pre-forwarding data packets for conditional handover

A method for performing conditional handover packet forwarding, comprising:

• by a base station:
• establishing communication with a user equipment device (UE);
• receiving one or more measurement reports from the UE, wherein the one or more measurement reports are associated with one or more neighboring base stations;
• transmitting handover assistance information to the UE, wherein the handover assistance information identifies at least one neighboring base station receiving packet forwarding;
• determining the at least one neighboring base station to perform packet forwarding prior to handover by the UE;
• and
• performing packet forwarding of downlink packets of the UE to the at least one neighboring base station, wherein said performing packet forwarding is performed prior to handover by the UE.

A network node, comprising:

• communication circuitry;
• and
• one or more processors coupled to the communication circuitry, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the network node to:
• determine a plurality of candidate neighboring base stations for handover of a user equipment device (UE);
• transmit a handover preparation message to at least one of the plurality of candidate neighboring base stations, wherein the handover preparation message includes an indication of quality of service (QoS) information;
• in response to transmitting the handover preparation message, receive an acknowledgement message indicating acceptance of packet forwarding before UE handover from the at least one of the plurality of candidate neighboring base stations;
• perform packet forwarding of downlink packets of the UE to the at least one of the plurality of candidate neighboring base stations prior to handover of the UE from a serving base station to a neighboring base station;
• and
• cease performing packet forwarding of downlink packets of the UE to the at least one of the plurality of candidate neighboring base stations after handover of the UE from the serving base station to the neighboring base station.