Make-before-break (MBB) handover operations

A method of wireless communication performed by a source network entity, comprising:

• receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a make-before-break (MBB) handover capability of the UE, the MBB handover capability supporting MBB handovers for one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) identified by the source network entity;
• transmitting, via a radio resource control (RRC) message, configuration information for the MBB handover to the UE, wherein:
• the configuration information is conveyed in a DRB configuration information element (IE) in the RRC message and identified the one or more DRBs supported for the MBB handover, and
• the DRB configuration IE comprises:
• a field indicating whether the MBB handover is supported for a corresponding DRB, and
• an indication to not reestablish packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) for the corresponding DRB;
• and
• participating in the MBB handover according to the configuration information by continuing to maintain a connection with the UE and continuing to communicate data with the UE via the one or more DRBs supported for the MBB handover while the UE establishes a connection with a target network entity until a connection with the UE is released.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising:

• one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored on one or more memories and to cause the UE to:
• indicate a make-before-break (MBB) handover capability of the UE, the MBB handover capability supporting MBB handovers for one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) identified by a source network entity;
• receive, via a radio resource control (RRC) message transmitted by the source network entity, configuration information for a handover from the source network entity to a target network entity, wherein:
• the configuration information is conveyed in a DRB configuration information element (IE) in the RRC message and identifies the one or more DRBs to be supported for the MBB handover, and
• the DRB configuration IE comprises:
• a field indicating whether the MBB handover is supported for a corresponding DRB, and
• an indication to not reestablish packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) for the corresponding DRB;
• determine to support the MBB handover if the configuration information identifies at least one MBB DRB;
• and
• participate in the MBB handover according to the configuration information by continuing to maintain a connection with the source network entity and continuing to communicate data with the source network entity via the at least one MBB DRB while establishing a connection with the target network entity until a connection with the source network entity is released.