Method and Apparatus for Dual Connectivity Management

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• memory storing a program of instructions;
• wherein the memory storing the program of instructions is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
• at a secondary base station belonging to a wireless communication network comprising a master base station and a secondary cell group comprising at least the secondary base station, in response to receiving an secondary cell group bearer configuration from a master base station, with the configuration including an inactivity timer, establish the SECONDARY CELL GROUP bearer and monitor the timer;
• in response to expiration of the timer, determine whether traffic has been present during pendency of the inactivity timer;
• and
• in response to recognition that no traffic has been if there is no traffic on the secondary cell group bearer during pendency of the timer, release the secondary cell group bearer.

A method comprising:

• at a secondary base station belonging to a wireless communication network comprising a master base station and a secondary cell group comprising at least the secondary base station, in response to receiving a secondary cell group bearer configuration from a master base station, with the configuration including an inactivity timer, establishing the secondary cell group bearer and monitoring the inactivity timer;
• in response to expiration of the timer, determine whether traffic has been present during pendency of the inactivity timer;
• and
• in response to recognition that no traffic has been if there is no traffic on the secondary cell group bearer during pendency of the timer, releasing the secondary cell group bearer.

A computer readable medium storing a program of instructions, execution of which by at least on processor configures an apparatus to at least:

• at a secondary base station belonging to a wireless communication network comprising a master base station and a secondary cell group comprising at least the secondary base station, in response to receiving an secondary cell group bearer configuration from a master base station, with the configuration including an inactivity timer, establish the secondary cell group bearer and monitor the timer;
• in response to expiration of the timer, determine whether traffic has been present during pendency of the inactivity timer;
• and
• in response to recognition that no traffic has been if there is no traffic on the secondary cell group bearer during pendency of the timer, release the secondary cell group bearer.