Apparatus, method, and computer program

An apparatus for a first access network node, the apparatus comprising at least one processor;

• and
• at least one memory comprising executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
• receive, from a user equipment via a first cell provided by the first access network node, a measurement report comprising an indication of a signal quality associated with a second cell provided by a second access network node;
• determine, based on the measurement report, to instruct the user equipment to connect to the second cell;
• determine whether a second timing advance value associated with the second access network node is valid;
• determine whether to instruct the user equipment to connect to the second cell without obtaining a new timing advance value for the second access network node when the second timing advance value is determined to be valid, or to instruct the user equipment to connect to the second cell with obtaining a new timing advance value when the second timing advance value is determined to be invalid;
• and
• instructing the user equipment in accordance with the determining whether to instruct.

An apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising at least one processor;

• and
• at least one memory comprising executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
• signal a measurement report to a first network access node via a first cell, the measurement report comprising an indication of a signal quality associated with a second cell provided by a second access network node;
• receive an instruction to connect to the second cell, the second cell being provided by a second network access node, wherein the instruction indicates whether the user equipment is to connect to the second cell with or without obtaining a new timing advance value;
• and
• connect to the second cell in accordance with the received instruction.