Systems and methods for implementing reflective EPS bearers to ensure uplink quality of service

A method, comprising:

• determining, by a network apparatus, that a bearer should be configured as a reflective bearer;
• sending, by the network apparatus, an indication that the bearer is to be a reflective bearer to a user equipment (UE);
• sending, by the network apparatus, at least one downlink packet received at the network apparatus to the UE via the bearer;
• and
• wherein the indication that the bearer is to be a reflective bearer causes the UE to store flow information comprising a source Internet Protocol (IP) address, source port, and protocol type obtained from the at least one downlink packet and to send uplink packets matching the flow information via the bearer.

At least one non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors are to:

• determine that a bearer should be configured as a reflective bearer;
• send an indication that the bearer is to be a reflective bearer to a user equipment (UE);
• send at least one downlink packet received at the network apparatus to the UE via the bearer;
• and
• wherein the indication that the bearer is to be a reflective bearer causes the UE to store flow information comprising a source Internet Protocol (IP) address, source port, and protocol type obtained from the at least one downlink packet and to send uplink packets matching the flow information via the bearer.