Patent ID: 7369525

Claim:
A method of reassigning a first payload connection between a radio network controller and a first media gateway in a cellular network having logically separated call control and bearer control, the method comprising the steps of: sending a connection assignment request from a control node to the radio network controller, said control node serving the radio network controller and controlling the first media gateway; determining by the radio network controller whether the connection assignment request requires different bearer capabilities than the first payload connection; if the connection assignment request does not require different bearer capabilities than the first payload connection, releasing the first payload connection between the radio network controller and the first media gateway in response to the connection assignment request while keeping a first user connection between the radio network controller and a user equipment; if the connection assignment request requires different bearer capabilities than the first payload connection: releasing the first payload connection between the radio network controller and the first media gateway in response to the connection assignment request; releasing the first user connection between the radio network controller and the user equipment; and setting up a second user connection between the radio network controller and the user equipment with bearer capabilities corresponding to the bearer capabilities required by the connection assignment request; and setting up a second payload connection between the radio network controller and at least one of a second media gateway and a logical point of the first media gateway.