Patent ID: 9392509
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: H04W

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; memory storing computer program code; wherein the memory storing the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: at a radio network controller (RNC), upon a handover/cell change request with change of routing area code, examine parameters associated with a user equipment affected by the request for indications that the user equipment is engaged in a packet switched connection; examine conditions associated with the handover/cell change request to determine if the packet switched connection should be released, wherein conditions indicating that the packet switched connection should not be released comprise the presence of a packet switched radio access bearer in a radio resource control connection between a radio network controller (RNC) and the user equipment; and if conditions associated with the handover/cell change request do not indicate that the packet switched connection should be released, inhibit release of the packet switched connection, wherein inhibiting release of the packet switched connection comprises, if such a packet switched radio access bearer is present, responding to a ROUTING AREA UPDATE REQUEST with a ROUTING AREA UPDATE ACCEPT with a “follow-on proceed” flag set whether or not the ROUTING AREA UPDATE REQUEST includes an indication to prolong the packet switched signaling connection.