Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and apparatus streamlining in a communication system with a separate core network (201) and access network (203). The access network comprises at least two access systems (205, 207) receiving a plurality of data streams which are combined before being routed to the core network (201). The streamlining is performed by setting up a connection from a second radio access system to the core network in parallel to the current connection from a first radio access system followed by combining the received data streams into two combined data streams and simultaneously routing one data stream through each of the two parallel connections. The core network will then switch from the first to the second connection and the first connection is subsequently terminated. The invention is applicable but not limited to the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) currently under development.

Abstract: Transmission of voice over internet protocol is achieved in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) by using a hybrid mode of attach whereby the speech bearer path from a mobile phone (1) is transported to the network controller (4) in circuit-switched mode and from thereonwards in packet mode. The control signalling from the mobile phone (1) is sent over the internet protocol to the core network (9). The invention has the advantage of providing the optimised speech path by using the most appropriate parts of existing circuit-switched and packet-switched domains, thus, enabling voice calls, facsimile transmissions and computer-generated data to be transported over a single data network.