Method for supporting handover in mobile communication network

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a pre-5-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). According to embodiments, an access and mobility management function (AMF) comprises at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive, a mobility management entity (MME) for an evolved node B (eNB), a message associated with a handover required message for an inter-system handover from an evolved packet system (EPS) to 5G system (5GS) with a secondary gNB (SgNB) used as a target next generation node B (gNB), wherein the SgNB and the target gNB are co-located and the eNB is associated with the SgNB in a dual connectivity; transmit, to the target gNB, a handover request message for the inter-system handover from the EPS to 5GS with the SgNB used as the target gNB; and receive, from the target gNB, an acknowledge of the handover request message. The handover required message includes an SgNB user equipment (UE) X2 application protocol ID (SgNB UE X2AP ID) for identifying a UE over X2 interface in the SgNB. The handover request message includes the SgNB UE X2AP ID, and the SgNB UE X2AP ID is allocated at the SgNB.