A method implemented by a network device that implements a source tunnel router and a source evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) node B (eNodeB) in a cellular communication network, for improving handover processing by the source tunnel router and the source eNodeB that includes a distributed serving gateway, where the source eNodeB forwards traffic destined for a user equipment (UE) that is transferring its connection to a target eNodeB to enable mobility within the cellular communication network without anchor points, wherein the source tunnel router facilitates communication, the method comprising, at the source tunnel router: sending a map request message for identifying the target eNodeB, to a location identifier separation protocol (LISP) mapping router (MR); receiving a map reply with routing locators (RLOC) of a target tunnel router associated with the identified target eNodeB from the LISP MR; sending a LISP endpoint identifier (EID) handover message from the source tunnel router to the target tunnel router, with information about the EID of the UE and/or correspondent that are communicating and that will be transitioning to the target tunnel router; receiving the LISP acknowledgement message, which lets the source tunnel router know that the target tunnel router is ready for the traffic directed toward the EID of the UE from the correspondent; redirecting any traffic received from remote tunnel routers associated with the correspondent and directed to the EID toward the target tunnel router, and the method comprising, at the source eNodeB: receiving a handover request from the UE identifying the target eNodeB; sending a handover message to the target eNodeB; determining the UE is unavailable to the source eNodeB; and redirecting traffic for the UE to the target eNodeB. sending a map request message for identifying the target eNodeB, to a location identifier separation protocol (LISP) mapping router (MR); receiving a map reply with routing locators (RLOC) of a target tunnel router associated with the identified target eNodeB from the LISP MR; sending a LISP endpoint identifier (EID) handover message from the source tunnel router to the target tunnel router, with information about the EID of the UE and/or correspondent that are communicating and that will be transitioning to the target tunnel router; receiving the LISP acknowledgement message, which lets the source tunnel router know that the target tunnel router is ready for the traffic directed toward the EID of the UE from the correspondent; redirecting any traffic received from remote tunnel routers associated with the correspondent and directed to the EID toward the target tunnel router, and the method comprising, at the source eNodeB: receiving a handover request from the UE identifying the target eNodeB; sending a handover message to the target eNodeB; determining the UE is unavailable to the source eNodeB; and redirecting traffic for the UE to the target eNodeB. receiving a handover request from the UE identifying the target eNodeB; sending a handover message to the target eNodeB; determining the UE is unavailable to the source eNodeB; and redirecting traffic for the UE to the target eNodeB. <EOS>