A method, performed by an apparatus of an evolved packet core, EPC, for a first wireless network, comprising: registering connected devices of the first wireless network for use of a service via a direct communication link, the connected devices including a first user equipment, UE, and a second UE; receiving intermittent location updates of the connected devices, the intermittent location updates including UE location information from the first UE and the second UE; receiving a request message from the first UE, the request message comprising a request for notification when the second UE is proximate to the first UE for direct communication with the second UE via the direct communication link over a second wireless network different than the first wireless network; detecting a proximity of the connected devices when the second UE is proximate to the first UE based, at least in part, on the received UE location information from the first UE and the second UE, wherein the second UE is detected by the apparatus as proximate to the first UE based, at least in part, on a plurality of received intermittent UE location information updates from the second UE; and in response to detecting that the second UE is proximate to the first UE, and that a connection request sent to the second UE is confirmed by the second UE, transmitting a response message to the first UE, as a response to the received request message, and also to the second UE, the response message comprising information to enable the first UE and the second UE to find each other during a device-to-device, D2D, discovery procedure, and a discovery period during which time discovery is valid between the first UE and the second UE. registering connected devices of the first wireless network for use of a service via a direct communication link, the connected devices including a first user equipment, UE, and a second UE; receiving intermittent location updates of the connected devices, the intermittent location updates including UE location information from the first UE and the second UE; receiving a request message from the first UE, the request message comprising a request for notification when the second UE is proximate to the first UE for direct communication with the second UE via the direct communication link over a second wireless network different than the first wireless network; detecting a proximity of the connected devices when the second UE is proximate to the first UE based, at least in part, on the received UE location information from the first UE and the second UE, wherein the second UE is detected by the apparatus as proximate to the first UE based, at least in part, on a plurality of received intermittent UE location information updates from the second UE; and in response to detecting that the second UE is proximate to the first UE, and that a connection request sent to the second UE is confirmed by the second UE, transmitting a response message to the first UE, as a response to the received request message, and also to the second UE, the response message comprising information to enable the first UE and the second UE to find each other during a device-to-device, D2D, discovery procedure, and a discovery period during which time discovery is valid between the first UE and the second UE.