Method and apparatus for use in a communications network

A method of enabling access for a terminal to a remote network via a mobile network, the method comprising:

• providing a first connectivity service function as included in the mobile network;
• establishing a first layer 2 tunnel between the first connectivity service function and a second connectivity service function provided as included in the remote network;
• establishing a second layer 2 tunnel between the first connectivity service function and a third connectivity service function associated with the terminal;
• establishing virtual switches or bridges at the first connectivity function to interconnect each such first tunnel established by the first connectivity function to its corresponding second tunnel;
• using the virtual switches or bridges to forward layer 2 traffic received at the first connectivity service function and destined for a node in the remote network to the second connectivity service function through the first tunnel;
• and
• using the virtual switches or bridges to forward layer 2 traffic received at the first connectivity service function and destined for the terminal to the third connectivity service function through the second tunnel.

An apparatus for enabling access for a terminal to a remote network via a mobile network, the apparatus comprising:

• a circuit configured to establish a first layer 2 tunnel between a first connectivity service function provided as included in the mobile network and a second connectivity service function provided as included in the remote network;
• a circuit configured to establish a second layer 2 tunnel between the first connectivity service function and a third connectivity service function associated with the terminal;
• a circuit configured to establish virtual switches or bridges at the first connectivity function to interconnect each such first tunnel established by the first connectivity function to its corresponding second tunnel;
• a circuit configured to forward layer 2 traffic received at the first connectivity service function and destined for a node in the remote network to the second connectivity service function through the first tunnel, using the established virtual switches or bridges;
• and
• a circuit configured to forward layer 2 traffic received at the first connectivity service function and destined for the terminal to the third connectivity service function through the second tunnel using the established virtual switches or bridges.