Methods, apparatus and computer programs for controlling radio access network and user equipment

摘要

A controller of a radio access network (RNC) (24) determines that a user equipment (UE) (20) having radio bearers simultaneously established in a circuit switched domain and in a packet switched domain is subject to a radio network subsystem (SRNS) relocation. The controller (24) then signals (2A) the UE (20) a) to release a signalling connection or the radio bearer or bearers in a selected one of the circuit switched or packet switched domains and b) to prohibit the UE (20) from establishing a signalling connection and/or a radio bearer in the selected domain for a prescribed period of time. Then the controller/RNC (24) participates in the SRNS relocation for the UE (20) in only the remaining one of the circuit switched or packet switched domains. In one embodiment, that signalling comprises an information element disposed in a Radio Bearer Release message or a Signalling Connection Release message.