In a radio access network of a telecommunications system, an end-to-end signaling
protocol is utilized to establish plural distinct connection or link segments comprising
a radio connection involving a user equipment unit (30). The plural distinct
connection segments extend in series between a device (271) in
a first radio network control node (SRNC 261) and a device at
a base station (282-1) controlled by a second radio network control
node (DRNC 262). An example end-to-end signaling protocol is
AAL2. Provision of the plural distinct connection segments is advantageous when
performing a SRNC relocation procedure to make the second radio network control
node serve as the SRNC for the radio connection involving the user equipment unit.
After performance of the SRNC relocation procedure, a retained one of the plural
distinct connection segments (4001, 5001) can
still be utilized, e.g., a segment extending between the device at the base station
controlled by the second radio network control node and a device at the second
radio network control node. The retained one of the connection segments can either
be utilized in series with a post-relocation connection segment to establish a
path between the base station controlled by the second radio network control node
and a diversity handover unit at the second radio network control node, or have
its connection point moved to the diversity handover unit at the second radio network
control node. Disclosed modes include a three connection segment mode and a two
connection segment mode. In one of its aspects, the present invention utilizes
binding information to accommodate employment of the multiple connection segments
such as described in the three connection segment mode and the two connection segment mode.
