CLIAMS:CLAIMS

We claim,
1. A method for providing dual mode data access service to a User Equipment (UE) using Local IP Access (LIPA) based extended S1 mode of operation in an LTE network, said method comprises of:
receiving a data request from said UE;
checking if a small cell that connects said UE to a core network is capable of providing said dual mode data access to said UE;
checking if said UE has capability to avail said dual mode data access service, if said small cell is found to have capability to provide said dual mode data access to said UE; and
providing said dual mode data access service if said UE has capability to avail said dual mode data access service, wherein said dual mode data access service involves offloading data access service from said LTE network to a Wi-Fi network.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said UE may be registered to avail said dual mode data access service using a registration process.

3. The method as in claim 2, wherein said registration process is initiated from said UE.

4. The method as in claim 3, wherein initiating said registration process from said UE further comprises of:

transmitting Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server information to said UE if said UE is found to have capability avail said dual mode data access service, from a Mobile Management Entity (MME) associated with said core network; and
fetching network information from said ANDSF server by said UE.

5. The method as in claim 4, wherein said network information further comprises of list of authentic Wi-Fi access network associated with said small cell, authentication information pertaining to said Wi-Fi access network, and information for access of LIPA connection over said small cell.

6. The method as in claim 2, wherein said registration process is initiated from said core network.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein initiating said registration process from said core network further comprises of:
sending a service initiation command to an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server using a Mobile Management Entity (MME) if said UE is found to have capability avail said dual mode data access service; and
sending network information to said UE upon receiving said service initiation command by said ANDSF server.

8. The method as in claim 1, wherein providing said dual mode data access service to said UE by offloading said data access service from said LTE network to said Wi-Fi network further comprises of providing extended bearer connectivity to said UE.

9. The method as in claim 8, wherein providing said extended bearer connectivity to said UE involves providing said requested data service to said UE using LTE LIPA connectivity.

10. The method as in claim 8, wherein providing said extended bearer connectivity to said UE involves providing said requested data service to said UE using Wi-Fi LIPA connectivity.

11. A system for providing dual mode data access service to a User Equipment (UE) using Local IP Access (LIPA) based extended S1 mode of operation in an LTE network, said system configured for:
receiving a data request from said UE using a Mobile Management Entity (MME);
checking if a small cell that connects said UE to a core network is capable of providing said dual mode data access to said UE, using said MME;
checking if said UE has capability to avail said dual mode data access service using said MME, if said small cell is found to have capability to provide said dual mode data access to said UE; and
providing said dual mode data access service if said UE has capability to avail said dual mode data access service using a Local Gateway (LGW), wherein said dual mode data access service involves offloading data access service from said LTE network to a Wi-Fi network.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein said MME is further configured to register said UE to avail said dual mode data access service using a registration process.

13. The system as in claim 12, wherein said MME is further configured to initiate said registration process from said UE.

14. The system as in claim 13, wherein said MME is further configured to initiate said registration process from said UE by:

transmitting ANDSF server information to said UE if said UE is found to have capability avail said dual mode data access service; and

sending network information using said ANDSF server upon receiving a network information request from said UE, wherein said network information further comprises of list of authentic Wi-Fi access network associated with said small cell, authentication information pertaining to said Wi-Fi access network, and information for access of LIPA connection over said small cell.

15. The system as in claim 12, wherein said MME is further configured to initiate said registration process from said core network.

16. The system as in claim 15, wherein said MME is further configured to initiate said registration process from said core network by:
sending a service initiation command to an ANDSF server if said UE is found to have capability avail said dual mode data access service; and
sending network information to said UE upon using said ANDSF server.

17. The system as in claim 11, wherein said MME is further configured to offload said data access service from said LTE network to said Wi-Fi by providing extended bearer connectivity from said LGW to said UE, using a BCEF module.

18. The system as in claim 17, wherein said LGW is further configured provide said data service to said UE using said extended bearer connectivity by :
terminating an S1-Access Point (S1AP) signalling from said MME at said BCEF module, wherein said S1AP signalling corresponds to a data service; and
providing said data service to said UE using at least one of a LTE LIPA connectivity or a Wi-Fi LIPA connectivity.

19. The system as in claim 18, wherein said LTE LIPA connectivity and said Wi-Fi LIPA connectivity converges at said LGW.

Date: 19th December 2013 Signature:
Vikram Pratap Singh Thakur
Patent Agent ,TagSPECI:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION

““System and method for providing dual mode data access service to User Equipment using Wi- Fi Offloading of LTE Spectrum”
APPLICANTS:
Name : HCL Technologies Limited
Nationality : Indian
Address : HCL Technologies Ltd., 50-53 Greams
Road,Chennai – 600006, Tamil Nadu, India
The following Specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to data offloading and, more particularly, to provide Wi-Fi offloading of Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

BACKGROUND
[002] There has been an exponential increase in mobile IP data usage, caused by higher through-puts that cellular technologies offer and the increasing global footprint of mobile networks. Innovative applications in popular areas like social networking, media sharing and newer class of devices like tablets have increased the consumption of data manifold. With such orders of magnitude increase in mobile data consumption, capacity of future systems need to be increased significantly so that it can accommodate such growth in the traffic volume. Revenue growth is becoming more challenging after many operators worldwide introduced flat rate tariffs. Operators are attempting to address the challenge by upgrading their wireless WANs and deploying femtocell. However, in some scenarios, even these measures may not be adequate. In most cases, the target network used to be different flavors of Wi-Fi networks. This approach has had a limited success due to complexities in integrating the Wi-Fi access network with a 3GPP network.
[003] Explosive demands for mobile data are driving changes in how mobile operators will need to respond to the challenging requirements of higher capacity and improved quality of user experience (QoE). Currently, fourth generation wireless access systems using Long Term Evolution (LTE) are being deployed by many operators in order to offer faster access with lower latency and more efficiency than 3/3.5G.
[004] Small cell concept, specifically in LTE networks, is emerging to provide new potentials to utilize LTE spectrum with increased efficiency and catering the needs of next generation traffics requirements. Cellular networks are likely to be operating at their capacity limits and hence, operators continuously look for ideas and methods to ensure that their LTE networks don’t get overloaded. One of such methods is data offloading where, based on certain specific rules and conditions, some of the users data is redirected intelligently in the network, thus avoiding overloading and improving overall end user experience.
[005] With an increasing number of mobile devices featuring Wi-Fi capabilities and Wi-Fi access becoming more widely available in homes, enterprises and retail locations, Wi-Fi offload of LTE networks is emerging as an attractive option for network operators. In continuation of this, operators have chosen Wi-Fi technology as a good associate to offload traffic in selective way to utilize the LTE spectrum in efficient manner. Some developments in the last few years have renewed the interest in Wi-Fi offloading of LTE network.
[006] However, current solutions to solve data offload problems are simple, proprietary, and do not provide a comprehensive and flexible solutions. Rather current solution use flat networking architecture model and provide heterogeneous approach for Wi-Fi connectivity.

SUMMARY
[007] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for providing dual mode data access service to a User Equipment (UE) using Local IP Access (LIPA) based extended S1 mode of operation in an LTE network. The method comprises of receiving a data request from the UE and checking if a small cell that connects the UE to a core network is capable of providing the dual mode data access to the UE. Further, if the small cell is capable of providing the dual mode data access to the UE, then UE's capability to avail the dual mode data access service is checked. Further, if the UE has capability to avail the dual mode data access service, then the dual mode data access service is provided, wherein the dual mode data access service involves offloading data access service from the LTE network to a Wi-Fi network.
[008] Embodiments further disclose a system for providing dual mode data access service to a User Equipment (UE) using Local IP Access (LIPA) based extended S1 mode of operation in an LTE network. The system configured for receiving a data request from the UE using a Mobile Management Entity (MME) and checking if a small cell that connects the UE to a core network is capable of providing the dual mode data access to the UE, using the MME. Further the system checks if the UE has capability to avail the dual mode data access service, if the small cell is found to have capability to provide the dual mode data access to the UE. Further, the dual mode data access service is provided to the UE using a Local Gateway (LGW) if the UE has capability to avail the dual mode data access service, wherein the dual mode data access service involves offloading data access service from the LTE network to a Wi-Fi network.
[009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates LIPA connectivity to the User Equipment (UE) to provide data service, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates extended S1 mode operation of the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates control flow between UE and various entities of the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network to register for dual mode data service, as disclosed in the embodiments herein; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates various steps involved in the process of providing dual mode data service to the user equipment using the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments herein disclose a method and system for reducing load on LTE network by using Wi-Fi offloading in LTE network. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network comprises of a User Equipment (UE) 101, a small cell eNodeB 102, a Wi-Fi access point 103, a local gateway 104, a MME 105, a PGW 106 and an IP network 107. The UE 101 further comprises of an extended bearer connectivity module 101.a that facilitates extended S1 mode operation of the UE, a LTE module 101.b and a Wi-Fi module 101.c. The local gateway 104 further comprises of an extended bearer connectivity module 104.a.
[0019] The number of devices and configuration in network is provided as an example implementation. In practice, network may include more devices, fewer devices, different devices, and/or differently arranged devices than those illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0020] The UE 101 may refer to any device having the capability to communicate with other devices, systems, networks, and/or the like. For example, UE may include a wireless telephone, an IP telephone, a computer (e.g., a laptop, a palmtop, and so on), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, a personal communication system (PCS) terminal, a pervasive computing device, a video playing device, a music playing device, a kiosk, and/or some other type of portable device, mobile device, handheld device, stationary device, user device, and/or vehicle-based device. In an example implementation, UE 101 may operate according to one or more versions of the LTE communication standard. In other implementations, UE 101 may operate according to one or more other wireless and/or wired network standards. In another preferred embodiment, the UE 101 may require to have access/provide support to both Wi-Fi and LTE network so as to use dual mode data access support offered by the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network. The dual mode data access support refers to the extended S1 mode operation which facilitates provision of data services to the UE 101 with the help of LTE and/or Wi-Fi networks. The LTE module 101.a and the Wi-Fi module are configured to communicate with the small cell eNodeB 102 and the Wi-Fi access point 103 respectively so as to use the dual mode data access support.
[0021] The small cell eNodeB 102 refers to low power base stations that directly communicates with the UE 101 so as to provide cellular and/or data services through core mobile/cellular network. The terms home eNB, ,H(e)NB, small cell eNodeB, or a base station (BS) may all refer to the small cell eNodeB 102 and may be interchangeably used throughout the specification description. Similarly, the Wi-Fi access point 103 is configured to provide data service using Wi-Fi network. In a preferred embodiment, the UE 101 may be given access to the Wi-Fi network through the Wi-Fi access point 103 using LIPA (Local IP Access) technology which enables the UE 101 (which is IP enabled) to access a user/consumer’s home-based local area network as well as the broader Internet directly using the air interface of a femtocell, or Home NodeB (HNB). As a result, for illustration purpose the Wi-Fi access point 103 may also be represented as a LIPA gateway (LIPA GW). LIPA is a service that is used to provide UE connectivity to a local network. The proposed invention provides extended bearer connectivity till the UE 101 using the LIPA, to provided data services to the UE 101.
[0022] The local gateway (LGW) 104 is the point at which normal S1 mode operation terminates. So as to provide the dual mode data access support to the UE 101, LTE small cell access and Wi-Fi access are converged at the LGW 104. Using the LTE and Wi-Fi networks, GTP tunnels are provided between the LGW 104 and the UE 101; thereby facilitating an extended GTP bearer mechanism over LIPA to provide data services to the UE 101. In a preferred embodiment, the UE 101 should be capable of accessing the LIPA services, to make use of the dual mode data access services. The BCEF 104.a at the LGW 104 serves function of a PGW, to provide extended bearer connectivity to the UE 101 using LIPA. The LIPA further helps to achieve transparency between a core mobile network with which the MME 105 and the PGW 106 are associated, and the radio access network; which helps to forward traffic for the extended bearers (LIPA bearers). The LIPA bearers may be on the LTE network and/or the Wi-Fi network.
[0023] The Mobility Management Entity (MME) 105 manages all control plane operations in the Wi-Fi associated LTE network 100. MME 105 manages security procedures which include end-user authentication as well as initiation and negotiation of ciphering and integrity protection algorithms. The MME 105 further manages Terminal-to-network session handling which relates to all signalling procedures used to set up Packet Data context and negotiate associated parameters like the Quality of Service. Further, the MME 105 manages “Idle terminal location management” which relates to tracking area update process used in order for the network to be able to join terminals in case of incoming sessions. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the MME 105helps the UE 101 to obtain data services via dual mode access means. In addition to all these basic functionalities being handled in the core network, the MME 105 handles all sessions associated with the offloading process and data transmission. Further, the MME 105 communicates with the LGW 104 to establish the extended S1 mode connectivity and provides LIPA session management.
[0024] The Packet Data Networking Gateway (PGW) 106 is where packet data interface towards a packet data network terminates. Various functionalities of the PGW 106 include but not limited to acting as an anchor point for sessions towards the external Packet Data Networks i.e. IP network 107, supporting Policy Enforcement features (which apply operator-defined rules for resource allocation and usage), packet filtering (like deep packet inspection for virus signature detection), and evolved charging support (like per URL charging).
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates LIPA connectivity to the User Equipment (UE) to provide data service, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The UE 101 requests for data from the web server 203. The small cell where the UE 101 is located supports both LTE network connectivity and Wi-Fi network connectivity through LIPA to the LGW 104 at the local network. In one embodiment, the LTE network connectivity and the Wi-Fi network connectivity of the UE to the LGW 104 is supported by the H (e) NB 102, and the Wi-Fi access point 103 respectively.
[0026] It is mandatory that the UE 101 supports both small cell access and Wi-Fi access, so as to use the dual mode data access provided by the LGW 104. The UE 101 may be provided the dual mode data access service using a mode of operation change procedure between the LGW 104 and the MME 105. In a preferred embodiment, the mode of operation change procedure may be initiated from the LGW 104 or from the MME 105.
[0027] FIGS. 3A 3B and 3C illustrate extended S1 mode operation of the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. When a UE 101 connects to the core cellular network, it is provided data plane connectivity in terms of data bearers till the core network i.e. EPC, through the core network gateway i.e. PGW 106. This end to end connectivity in terms of bearers is referred to as Enhanced Packet System (EPS) bearer. In normal S1 mode operation of the network, small cell (which is Access Spectrum (AS) for UE) is connected to the EPC (which is Non-Access Spectrum (NAS) for the UE) through “S1 interface” and data transmission to the UE is through the core cellular network i.e. MNO. In the extended S1 mode operation, the LIPA creates a data plane connectivity local to the Access Spectrum, which provides end to end connectivity to the UE 101 without the NAS i.e. EPC. The LIPA provides complete IP network for end to end data connectivity from UE 101 to the LGW 104, through an ”extended S1 interface”.
[0028] The LIPA converges the LTE small cell access (provided using the HeNB 102) and the Wi-Fi access (provided by the Wi-Fi access point 103) at the local gateway 104. As a result, both LTE network as well as Wi-Fi network can be used for providing GTP tunnels between the UE 101 and the LGW 104. That means extended bearer may be provided using either the LTE small cell LIPA IP or Wi-Fi access LIPA IP. This is depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B. Fig. 3C depicts network view with differentiation between S1 mode of connectivity and extended S1 mode of connectivity. As depicted, the LIPA network i.e. the extended S1 mode offers convergence of LTE access and Wi-Fi access. However, homogeneity is maintained with respect to data connectivity with the core network (MNO core network) between the LIPA network and the core network.
[0029] The LIPA connectivity is established/created by the extended bearer connectivity module 104.a in the local network/gateway 104 by virtue of BCEF functionality of the extended bearer connectivity module 104.a. To do this, the extended bearer connectivity module 104.a terminates S1-AP signalling and interacts with the MME 105 through NAS signalling. Once the extended bearer connectivity is established, a PGW is provided for LIPA through the LGW 104 which provides PCEF functionality for extended EPC bearers and a plurality of forwarding functions for extended bearer. Further, in addition to the provision for bearer creation for LIPA, the BCEF functionality provides interworking function with the MME 105 for extended SAE/EPC bearer functionality.
[0030] Further, the extended bearer makes the EPC bearer transparent of the radio access technology onto which they are forwarded. The transparency is achieved through the use of BCEF functionality at the LGW 104 which in turn provides an interworking mechanism with the MME 105 for extending the S1 bearer to the UE 101and in PCEF role for forwarding the traffic for the extended EPC bearers on LIPA bearers either on LTE or Wi-Fi based on certain quality policies.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates control flow between UE and various entities of the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network to establish a dual mode data service, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. An extended S1 mode connection needs to be established to provide the dual mode data access support to the UE. The extended S1 mode connection can be established by the UE 101 or the network after proper handshaking procedures. The UE 101 as well as the network must be aware of individual capabilities to initiate the handshaking procedures. For example, the UE 101 may require to have the following capabilities.
• Capability to make more than one data sessions along with LIPA sessions on multiple radio access.
• Capability to communicate with the Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server.
• Capability to create GTP tunnels.
• Equipped with hardware and software components for multiple radio technologies such as Wi-Fi and LTE.
[0032] The UE 101 requires LIPA related information from the network. This information may be provided to the UE 101 using a mode of operation change procedure. The mode change operation is between the UE 101 and the MME 105, and may be initiated from either side.
[0033] To connect to the ANDSF server to fetch information related to create the extended S1 mode operation, the UE 101 has to attach to network or update location to the network and find right information to connect to the ANDSF server. Once the UE 101 is connected to the ANDSF server, the UE 101, based on own capabilities, can pull required information from the ANDSF server and initiate the mode changing operation. The control flow involved in this process is explained below. The UE 101 can fetch LIPA related information from an ANDSF server 401 by sending requests. In a preferred embodiment, the ANDSF server 401 uses a standard 3GPP technique to identify Wi-Fi networks in each location being covered by the EPC and maintains a list of LIPA services available in the network. The ANDSF (Access Network Discovery and Selection Function) provides network discovery and selection assistance data as per operator’s policy. The ANDSF server 401 responds to UE’s request for access network discovery information by initiating data transfer to the UE 101, based on network triggers or based on previous communications with the UE 101. In an embodiment, The ANDSF server 401 may be available to the UE 101 only after the UE 101 attach to the network or update it’s location to the network and find right information to connect to the ANDSF server 401. In another embodiment, while attaching to the network, the MME 105 can track capabilities of the UE 101 and may trigger the ANDSF server 401 to send required information to the UE 101. The ANDSF server 401 may perform an authentication check of the UE 101 and if the authentication is successful, it provides Wi-Fi access and/or parameters required to obtain access to the Wi-Fi network, to the UE 101. In another embodiment, the ANDSF server 401 may also check and verify whether the UE 101 the small cell the UE 101 is attached to be eligible to use the extended S1 mode operation in terms of location and capabilities. A separate authentication procedure is executed by the EPC to provide cellular access for the UE 101. Once the information is sent to the UE 101, then the UE 101 is set for the extended S1 mode operation. The extended S1 bearers carry QOS flow to UE 101 over the LIPA network, which are then enforced on the LIPA network by the BCEF. In another embodiment, the MME 105 can initiate the mode change operation. In this process, the MME 105 tracks capabilities of the UE 101 and instructs/directs the ANDSF server to provide necessary information to the UE 101.By doing so, the ANDSF server facilitates Wi-Fi access to the UE 101 for data services.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates various steps involved in the process of providing dual mode data service to the user equipment using the Wi-Fi offloading enabled LTE network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. Data services are provided to the UE 101 by the MNO core network. When a UE 101 connects to the core cellular network for data services, it is provided data plane connectivity in terms of data bearers till the core network i.e. EPC, through the core network gateway i.e. PGW 106. This end to end connectivity in terms of bearers is referred to as Enhanced Packet System (EPS) bearer. In normal S1 mode operation of the network, small cell (which is Access Spectrum (AS) for UE) is connected to the EPC (which is Non-Access Spectrum (NAS) for the UE) through “S1 interface” and data transmission to the UE is through the core cellular network i.e. MNO. In the extended S1 mode operation, the LIPA creates a data plane connectivity local to the Access Spectrum, which provides end to end connectivity to the UE 101 without the NAS i.e. EPC. The LIPA provides complete IP network for end to end data connectivity from UE 101 to the LGW 104, through an ”extended S1 interface”.
[0035] Now, upon receiving (502) a data service request from the UE 101, the LGW 104 in the local network checks (504) whether the UE 101 has configured to enable the extended S1 mode service (Dual mode data access) or not. In an embodiment, checking if the UE 101 is configured to enable the extended S1 mode service involves checking if a small cell to which the UE 101 is connected has capability to provide the dual mode data access service to the UE 101. The check may further involve verifying whether the UE 101 has capability to avail the dual mode data access service. Each UE 101 in the network is to be configured first to enable S1 mode of operation for data services. In the extended S1 mode operation, LTE spectrum is offloaded to Wi-Fi network and data service to the UE 101 is provided through the Wi-Fi network. So it is compulsory that the UE 101 possess Wi-Fi access capability as an inbuilt option or using any external means. The UE registration involves transmitting network information from the ANDSF server 401 to the UE 101. In an embodiment, the UE 101 may initiate the registration process by sending a request to the ANDSF server 401 after attaching to an MME 105. In this embodiment, the UE 101 may be provided with ANDSF server information by the MME 105. Upon receiving the request, the ANDSF server 401 performs an authentication check of the UE 101 and upon successful authentication; it sends network information to the UE 101 using a suitable method like pushing the data to the UE 101. In another embodiment, while attaching to the network, the MME 105 can track capabilities of the UE 101 and may trigger; by sending a service initiation command; the ANDSF server 401 to send required network information to the UE 101. The network information further comprises of list of authentic Wi-Fi access network associated with said small cell, authentication information pertaining to said Wi-Fi access network, and information for access of LIPA connection over said small cell. In various embodiments, single UE 101 can have one or more data sessions with the network.
[0036] If the UE 101 that sent data request has configured for the extended S1 mode operation and if the request is generated from a location that supports extended S1 mode operation, the LGW 104 identifies (506) type of network (i.e. Wi-Fi LIPA/LTE LIPA) to be used to provide data service to the UE 101. In a preferred embodiment, the LGW 104 identifies type of network to be used to provide data service to the UE 101, based on certain parameters such as current load on Wi-Fi LIPA and LTE LIPA, policies defined for the flow of data and so on.
[0037] If the Wi-Fi LIPA network is chosen, the data is then transmitted (508) to the UE 101 through the Wi-Fi LIPA using corresponding Wi-Fi access point 103. If the LTE LIPA network is chosen, the data is then transmitted (510) to the UE 101 through the LTE LIPA using corresponding HeNB 102. In a preferred embodiment, the UE 101 can change mode i.e. between Wi-Fi access and LTE network access using suitable handshake procedures.
[0038] The various actions in method 500 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 5 may be omitted.
[0039] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in Fig. 1 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0040] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims as described herein.