Apparatus and Methods for Accessing a Data Network

A method of operation of a packet data network gateway, P-GW, located in a second network for supporting control plane data in a wireless communications system that additionally comprises a first network having a first packet data network gateway, P-GW, operably couplable to the P-GW and a serving gateway, S-GW;

• the method comprising, at the P-GW:
• determining an operational status of at least one of:
• a backhaul link, the first P-GW, and, in response to determining that both of the backhaul link and first P-GW are available;
• performing at least one of:
• triggering deferred signalling between the first network and at least one of:
• a mobility management entity, MME, the S-GW;
• triggering user plane handling;
• and
• monitoring and building terminal device context information for a plurality of terminal devices being served with user plane data by the backhaul link of the second network.

An integrated circuit for a packet data network gateway, P-GW, located in a second network for supporting control plane data in a wireless communications system that additionally comprises a first network having a first P-GW operably couplable to the P-GW, and a serving gateway, S-GW;

• the integrated circuit comprising a processor arranged to:
• determine an operational status of at least one of:
• a backhaul link, the first P-GW, wherein, in response to the processor determining that both of the backhaul link and the first P-GW are available, the processor is arranged to perform at least one of:
• trigger deferred signalling between the first network and at least one of a mobility management entity, MME, the S-GW;
• trigger user plane handling;
• monitor and build terminal device context information for a plurality of terminal devices being served with user plane data by the backhaul link of the second network.