System and method for offloading data in a communication system

Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations for providing an anchor point for offloading traffic to and from a mobile user device from a default path to the Internet via a core network onto a breakout path to the Internet not via the core network, the operations comprising:

• receiving an upstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element;
• identifying whether the upstream data packet matches an internet protocol (IP) access control list (ACL) or a tunnel endpoint identifier to determine whether the upstream data packet belongs to traffic to be offloaded onto the breakout path;
• if the upstream data packet matches the IP ACL or the tunnel endpoint identifier:
• performing a network address translation on the data packet to assign the first network element as the anchor point for the mobile user device;
• and
• offloading the upstream data packet from the backhaul link onto the breakout path using the first network element as the anchor point for routing the traffic to the Internet;
• receiving a downstream packet transported on the breakout path from the Internet at the first network element;
• identifying that a service is to be performed for the downstream data packet that cannot be performed at the first network element;
• and
• performing the network address translation on the downstream data packet such that the downstream data packet is returned to a gateway node in the core network where the service can be applied to the downstream data packet.

An apparatus for providing an anchor point for offloading traffic to and from a mobile user device from a default path to the Internet via a core network onto a breakout path to the Internet not via the core network, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory element configured to store data;
• a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data;
• a traffic offload module configured to interface with the memory element and the processor, wherein the apparatus is configured for:
• receiving an upstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element;
• identifying whether the upstream data packet matches an internet protocol (IP) access control list (ACL) or a tunnel endpoint identifier to determine whether the data packet belongs to traffic to be offloaded onto the breakout path;
• if the upstream data packet matches the IP ACL or the tunnel endpoint identifier:
• performing a network address translation on the upstream data packet to assign the first network element as the anchor point for the mobile user device;
• and
• offloading the upstream data packet from the backhaul link onto the breakout path using the first network element as the anchor point for routing the traffic to the Internet;
• receiving a downstream packet transported on the breakout path from the Internet at the first network element;
• identifying that a service is to be performed for the downstream data packet that cannot be performed at the first network element;
• and
• performing the network address translation on the downstream data packet such that the downstream data packet is returned to a gateway node in the core network where the service can be applied to the downstream data packet.