Apparatus and method for reliable communication in multi-connectivity

An apparatus in a communication system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code,
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
• receive from network data packets to be transmitted to a user terminal;
• transmit the data packets to at least two base station apparatuses for transmitting data packets to the user terminal;
• receive information from a base station apparatus whether data packets are successfully or not successfully received;
• transmit the information to the other base station apparatuses.

An apparatus in a communication system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code,
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
• maintain connection with more than one base stations;
• receive same data packets from the more than one base stations;
• transmit acknowledgement of each data packet to the all the base stations;
• receive from at least one base station information about the removal of the packets from buffers maintained by the at least one base station.

A method in an apparatus in a communication system, comprising:

• receiving from a network element data packets to be transmitted to a user terminal;
• maintaining one or more transmit buffers for transmitting data packets to the user terminal;
• transmitting data packets to a user terminal;
• receiving information from the user terminal regarding whether one or more data packets are successfully or not successfully received;
• transmitting on the basis of received information acknowledgement information to another network element of the communication system;
• receiving a notification that one or more packets have been successfully transmitted to the user terminal from a second corresponding apparatus;
• and
• if the one or more transmit buffers comprise the successfully transmitted packets, removing the packets from the buffers.

A method in a communication system, comprising:

• receiving from network data packets to be transmitted to a user terminal;
• transmitting the data packets to at least two base station apparatuses for transmitting data packets to the user terminal;
• receiving information from a base station apparatus whether data packets are successfully or not successfully received;
• transmitting the information to the other base station apparatuses.