Dynamic restriction of split-uplink-mode operation in response to high level of voice muting

In a wireless communication system comprising a first access node configured to provide service on a first air interface and a second access node configured to provide service on a second air interface, wherein the first and second access nodes support cooperatively providing dual-connectivity service and support operating in (i) a single-connection-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service, with uplink user-plane communication being carried on just the second air interface and (ii) a split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service, with the uplink user-plane communication being split between the first air interface and the second air interface, the first access node comprising:

• a wireless communication interface through which to engage in air-interface communication on the first air interface;
• and
• a controller, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first access node to carry out operations including:
• detecting at least a predefined threshold high level of uplink voice muting on the first air interface, and
• responsive to the detecting of at least the predefined threshold high level of uplink voice muting on the first air interface, restricting application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service,
• wherein restricting application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service comprises disabling application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service, wherein disabling application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service comprises at least one operation selected from the group consisting of (i) disabling application of the split-uplink mode for a first class of served devices while still allowing application of the split-uplink mode for a second class of served devices and (ii) disabling new activation of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service while still allowing already-activated split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service.

In a wireless communication system comprising a first access node configured to provide service on a first air interface and a second access node configured to provide service on a second air interface, wherein the first and second access nodes support cooperatively providing dual-connectivity service and support operating in (i) a single-connection-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service, with uplink user-plane communication being carried on just the second air interface and (ii) a split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service, with the uplink user-plane communication being split between the first air interface and the second air interface, at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions executable by at least one processing unit to carry out operations comprising:

• detecting at least a predefined threshold high level of uplink voice muting on the first air interface;
• and
• responsive to the detecting of at least the predefined threshold high level of uplink voice muting on the first air interface, restricting application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service,
• wherein restricting application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service comprises disabling application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service, wherein disabling application of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service comprises at least one operation selected from the group consisting of (i) disabling application of the split-uplink mode for a first class of served devices while still allowing application of the split-uplink mode for a second class of served devices and (ii) disabling new activation of the split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service while still allowing already-activated split-uplink mode for the dual-connectivity service.