Light-weight rrc connection setup in multi-rat network

A method of supporting Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment in a wireless communication network, the method implemented at a first radio access network element and comprising:

• setting up Access Security (AS) security context information during a Radio Access Technology (RAT) connection setup to establish a first RRC connection between a wireless communication device and the first radio access network element implementing a first RAT;
• and
• sending the AS security 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 of supporting Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment in a wireless communication network, the method implemented at a second radio access network element and comprising:

• receiving Access Stratum (AS) security context information from a 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 AS security 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 AS security context information.