Publisher's Synopsis
A method and apparatus for handling Multipath Transmission Control Protocol, MPTCP, signaling in a communications network. The communications network includes a first node hosting an MPTCP proxy function, and a second node in a second access network. The second node receives from a mobile terminal an attachment request. The second node then sends a message to a remote database and receives a response, the response including an identity of the first node. An MPTCP data path can then be redirected from the second access network to the MPTCP proxy function. Even in cases where the MPTCP proxy function is located at or between the PDN Gateway and the mobile terminal, the second access can be made aware of the location of the MPTCP proxy function and route MPTCP data traffic accordingly.
