Primary node change while keeping candidate secondary nodes for enhanced mobility

A method, comprising:

• receiving, from a current serving cell of a primary node (PN), primary security information that enables a user equipment (UE) to be in dual connectivity mode with the PN and a secondary node (SN);
• detecting an intra-PN change from the current serving cell to a new serving cell of the PN;
• detecting that the primary security information remains usable for the UE to remain in the dual connectivity mode with the PN the SN;
• and
• remaining connected with the SN by at least continuing to use the primary security information while data is sent to the new serving cell and the SN.

The method of claim 11, further comprising:

• detecting that the UE has maintained a respective current security key counter context associated with the SN and a candidate SN;
• outputting, for transmission, a second indication of the inter-PN change from the source PN to the target PN to the candidate SN;
• and
• receiving, from the SN and the candidate SN, a respective current security key context.

An apparatus, comprising:

• processing circuitry to:
• receive, from a serving cell of a source primary node (PN), primary security information that enables a user equipment (UE) to be in dual connectivity mode with the source PN and a secondary node (SN);
• detect an inter-PN change from the source PN to a target PN;
• detect that the primary security information remains usable for the UE to remain in the dual connectivity mode with the target PN and the SN;
• and
• remain configured with the SN by at least continuing to use the primary security information while data is sent to the target serving node;
• and
• interface circuitry, coupled to the processor circuitry, to enable communication.