System and method for distributed mobility management with GPRS tunneling protocol

Abstract

An apparatus is configured to perform a method for mobility management. The method includes establishing a first Packet Data Network (PDN) connection between a user equipment (UE) and a first Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) associated with a first group of Serving Gateways (SGW) within a first geographical area; establishing communication with a handover destination SGW associated with a second PGW, the second PGW associated with a second group of SGWs within a second geographical area; and upon a determination that the UE moves from the first geographical area to the second geographical area, establishing a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) tunnel connection between the first PGW and the handover destination SGW, and updating the first PDN connection to use the GTP tunnel connection between the first PGW and the handover destination SGW.