Handover data integrity in a wireless data network

A method for handover data integrity of a mobile station in a wireless data network, the method comprising:

• identifying at least one target access network (ASN) for handover from a serving ASN servicing wireless data communications with the mobile station;
• negotiating, via an anchor ASN, a data integrity mode of a plurality of data integrity modes based upon a data integrity capability provided by the at least one target ASN;
• when the data integrity capability provided by the at least one target ASN accommodates a first data integrity mode of the plurality of data integrity modes, multi-unicasting data associated with a service flow via the anchor ASN to the serving ASN and the at least one target ASN;
• when the data integrity capability provided by the at least one target ASN accommodates a second data integrity mode of the plurality of data integrity modes, performing direct data delivery of the data associated with the service flow from the serving ASN to the at least one target ASN;
• and
• performing the handover of the mobile station to a target ASN of the at least one target ASN, wherein the target ASN of the at least one target ASN begins servicing the wireless data communications with the mobile station.

Apparatus for an anchor access network (ASN) to provide handover data integrity in a wireless data network, the apparatus comprising:

• processing module;
• and
• memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
• identify at least one target ASN for handover from a serving ASN that services wireless data communications with a mobile station;
• negotiate with the at least one target ASN a data integrity mode of a plurality of data integrity modes based upon a data integrity capability provided by the at least one target ASN;
• when the data integrity capability provided by the at least one target ASN accommodates a first data integrity mode of the plurality of data integrity modes, multi-unicast data associated with a service flow via the anchor ASN data to the serving ASN and to the at least one target ASN;
• when the data integrity capability provided by the at least one target ASN accommodates a second data integrity mode of the plurality of data integrity modes, initiate direct delivery of the data associated with the service flow from the serving ASN to the at least one target ASN;
• and
• perform the handover of the mobile station to a target ASN of the at least one target ASN, wherein the target ASN of the at least one target ASN begins servicing the wireless data communications with the mobile station.