A method for optimizing a data path along which data packets are exchanged between a first communication node and a second communication node in a communications system, wherein at least the first communication node is located in a foreign network (VPLMN), the method comprising the steps of: transmitting from the first communication node a local connection request to a management entity of the first communication node in the foreign network (VPLMN), the local connection request comprising identity information of the second communication node, determining by the management entity in the foreign network (VPLMN) in response to the received local connection request a local data gateway (L-SPGW) in the foreign network (VPLMN) based on the identity information of the second communication node, and exchanging all data packets between the first and second communication node via the local data gateway (L- SPGW), and wherein the local data gateway (L-SPGW) is the gateway used by the second communication node, the method further comprising the step of: establishing a tunnel between a radio control entity, to which the first communication node is attached in the foreign network (VPLMN), and the local data gateway (L-SPGW), wherein the data packets are forwarded between the radio control entity and the local data gateway (L-SPGW) over the established tunnel, wherein the management entity in the foreign network (VPLMN) determines the gateway used by the second communication node based on the identity information of the second communication node, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: transmitting by the first communication node a gateway detection message towards the second communication node, intercepting by an intercepting entity on the data path between the first and second communication nodes the gateway detection message, and transmitting in response a gateway detection reply message to the first communication node comprising information on the gateway used by the second communication node, wherein the local connection request transmitted from the first communication node to the management entity of the first communication node comprises the received information on the gateway used by the second communication node, and wherein the gateway used by the second communication node is determined by the management entity based on the information on the gateway used by the second communication node received in the local connection request. transmitting from the first communication node a local connection request to a management entity of the first communication node in the foreign network (VPLMN), the local connection request comprising identity information of the second communication node, determining by the management entity in the foreign network (VPLMN) in response to the received local connection request a local data gateway (L-SPGW) in the foreign network (VPLMN) based on the identity information of the second communication node, and exchanging all data packets between the first and second communication node via the local data gateway (L- SPGW), and wherein the local data gateway (L-SPGW) is the gateway used by the second communication node, the method further comprising the step of: establishing a tunnel between a radio control entity, to which the first communication node is attached in the foreign network (VPLMN), and the local data gateway (L-SPGW), wherein the data packets are forwarded between the radio control entity and the local data gateway (L-SPGW) over the established tunnel, establishing a tunnel between a radio control entity, to which the first communication node is attached in the foreign network (VPLMN), and the local data gateway (L-SPGW), wherein the data packets are forwarded between the radio control entity and the local data gateway (L-SPGW) over the established tunnel, transmitting by the first communication node a gateway detection message towards the second communication node, intercepting by an intercepting entity on the data path between the first and second communication nodes the gateway detection message, and transmitting in response a gateway detection reply message to the first communication node comprising information on the gateway used by the second communication node, wherein the local connection request transmitted from the first communication node to the management entity of the first communication node comprises the received information on the gateway used by the second communication node, and wherein the gateway used by the second communication node is determined by the management entity based on the information on the gateway used by the second communication node received in the local connection request.