Radio access network and methods for expedited network access

Abstract

In a radio access network wherein a protocol stack is split between anchor processor circuitry and distributed processor circuitry. The anchor processor circuitry is configured to perform high layer radio access network node operations for a connection with a wireless terminal. The distributed processor circuitry is configured to perform low layer radio access network node operations for the connection with the wireless terminal and to utilize the context as used by the anchor processor circuitry. The anchor processor circuitry is configured to provide a first endpoint for a tunnel through which the connection is carried over a packet network to the distributed processor circuitry; the distributed processor circuitry is configured to provide a second endpoint for the tunnel. Transceiver circuitry transmits and receives packets comprising the connection over a radio interface with the wireless terminal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.