Method and gateway to handle inactivity timer expiry with a converged gateway

Abstract

Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for handling the expiration of an inactivity timer. A cellular communications system may include a gateway (GW), for example, a converged gateway (CGW) or a local gateway (LGW). The GW may intercept a first message from the eNB intended for a mobility management entity (MME). The first message may include an indication to initiate removal of a first bearer and a second bearer. The first bearer may include an SI bearer associated with the eNB and the GW and/or include a Radio Bearer associated with the eNB and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRLI). The second bearer may include an S I bearer associated with the GW and a serving gateway (SGW). The GW may determine to maintain the second bearer to maintain a communication path associated with the GW and a WTRU and/or send a second message to the eNB to remove the first bearer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.