Methods and devices for providing application services to users in communications network

Abstract

A gateway network element includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory is configured to store a program routine or module. The at least one processor is configured, by executing the program routine or module, to: map a first multi-path transport control protocol (MPTCP) flow to a first evolved packet system (EPS) bearer associated with a first serving base station for the user; map a second MPTCP flow to a second EPS bearer associated with a WiFi access point for the user, each of the first and second MPTCP flows corresponding to a same MPTCP connection for an application; output the first MPTCP flow on the first EPS bearer for delivery to the user through the first serving base station; and output the second MPTCP flow on the second EPS bearer for delivery to the user through the WiFi access point.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.