Light-Weight RRC Connection Setup in Multi-RAT Network

A method, implemented by a first radio access network element of a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• setting up context information during a Radio Access Technology (RAT) connection setup to establish a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between a wireless communication device and the first radio access network element implementing a first RAT;
• and
• sending the context information toward a second radio access network element of the wireless communication network to establish a second RRC connection between the wireless communication device and the second radio access network element implementing a second RAT.

A method, implemented by a second radio access network element of a wireless communication network comprising a first radio access network element, the method comprising:

• receiving context information from the first radio access network element implementing a first Radio Access Technology (RAT) to establish a second RRC connection between a wireless communication device of the wireless communication network and the second radio access network element implementing a second RAT, wherein the context information was set up in a RAT connection setup to establish a first RRC connection between the wireless communication device and the first radio access network element;
• and
• setting up the second RRC connection using the context information.