Local call local switching at handover

A method in a base station subsystem, BSS, for managing local call local switch, LCLS, connections, where a user plane between a first user equipment and a second user equipment being served by the BSS is locally switched, the method comprising the steps of:

• when the first user equipment is to be handed over to a target BSS, receiving from a core network node a first LCLS-CONNECT-CONTROL message requesting bicasting of uplink user plane data from the second user equipment to the first user equipment via both the locally switched user plane and a core network switched user plane;
• receiving from the core network node a second LCLS-CONNECT-CONTROL message indicating that user downlink data originating from the first user equipment is to be received from the core network switched user plane.

A base station subsystem, BSS, adapted for managing local call local switch, LCLS, connections, where a user plane between a first user equipment and a second user equipment being served by the BSS is locally switched, the BSS comprising:

• a communication interface adapted for receiving and transmitting data and control information;
• a processor configured to analyze and process signals received from the communication interface, the signals comprising a first LCLS-CONNECT-CONTROL message requesting transmission of uplink user plane data from the second user equipment to the first user equipment via both the locally switched user plane and a core network switched user plane when the first user equipment is to be handed over to a target BSS and a second LCLS-CONNECT-CONTROL message indicating that user downlink data originating from the first user equipment is to be received from the core network switched user plane.

A base station subsystem, BSS, adapted for managing local call local switch, LCLS, connections, where a user plane between a first user equipment and a second user equipment being served by the BSS is locally switched, the BSS comprising:

• a communication interface adapted for receiving and transmitting data and control information;
• a processor configured to analyze and process signals received from the communication interface, the signals comprising a first LCLS-CONNECT-CONTROL message requesting bicasting of uplink user plane data from the second user equipment to the first user equipment via both the locally switched user plane and a core network switched user plane when the first user equipment is to be handed over to a target BSS and a second LCLS-CONNECT-CONTROL message indicating that user downlink data originating from the first user equipment is to be received from the core network switched user plane.