The invention relates to a radio access network (RAN) for a mobile radio communications system and to an operating method therefor. The radio access network has a number of first nodes (UPS1, UPS2,), which are each assigned to a subarea (A, a) of a geographical area, and which serve for exchanging useful data between terminals (UE), which are located in the relevant subarea, and a primary network (CN). The radio access network also has at least one second node (RCS1, RCS2), which comprises a number of signaling functionalities (UEF) for exchanging signaling data with the each respective terminal (UE). The second node (RCS1, RCS2, . . . ) is connected to a number of first nodes (UPS1, UPS2, . . . ) in order to exchange signaling data with a terminal (UE) via those first nodes (UPS1, UPS2, . . . ) with which this terminal (UE) exchanges useful data. When the terminal passes into the subarea of another first node, the transmission of useful data shifts from the previous node to this other first node, whereby a shifting of the signaling functionality is unnecessary.