Abstract: A mobile terminal and communication mode switching method is capable of efficiently managing a data connection to a network via a wireless link when the mobile terminal switches between a master operation mode and a slave operation mode. A communication mode switching method determines whether a request for a second mode communication session is detected while the mobile terminal is in a first mode communication session with a network via a first interface. The system and method initializes and activates a second interface when a request for a second mode communication session is detected. The system and method also synchronize the first interface and the second interface, re-register a Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) with the network, acquire an IP address as a consequence of the re-registration of the MIP, and communicate data with the network using the acquired IP address.