Method and apparatus for efficiently encoding wireless data packet headers

A gateway, which is functionally coupled with a radio interface, for communicating messages between a wireless terminal and a server, which gateway comprises a gateway application and means for implementing a protocol layer for handling messages and which gateway is adapted to maintain particular information on each connection, which information comprises a particular first part and a second part, wherein the gateway comprises:

• means for storing, specific to a gateway application, information of a partial connection in response to initiation of the gateway application, in which partial connection said first part of the connection information is fixed, and
• means for storing, in response to arrival of a datagram from the radio interface at the gateway, information of a connection on the basis of the information of the partial connection, in which connection said second part of the connection information is fixed, comprising a bearer to be used.

A computer program product executable by means of a computer for handling connections in a gateway functionally coupled with a radio interface, which gateway is adapted to maintain particular information on each connection, which information comprises a particular first part and a second part and which gateway comprises a gateway application and means for implementing a particular protocol layer, wherein the computer program product comprises:

• means for storing, specific to a gateway application, information of a partial connection in response to initiation of the gateway application, in which partial connection said first part of the connection information is fixed, and
• means for storing, in response to arrival of a datagram from the radio interface at the gateway, information of a connection on the basis of the information of the partial connection, in which connection said second part of the connection information is fixed, comprising the bearer to be used.

A memory readable by means of a computer, in which memory a computer program has been stored for handling connections in a gateway functionally coupled with a radio interface, which gateway is adapted to maintain particular information on each connection, which information comprises a particular first part and a second part, and which gateway comprises a gateway application and means for implementing a particular protocol layer, wherein upon execution of the computer program specific action is caused comprising:

• storing, specific to a gateway application, information of a partial connection after initiation of the gateway application, in which partial connection said first part of the connection information is fixed,
• storing, upon arrival of a datagram from the radio interface at the gateway, information of a connection on the basis of the information of the partial connection, in which connection said second part of the connection information is fixed, comprising a bearer to be used.