US Patent 10485000 User equipment, base stations and methods

A multi-mode capable LTE-5G new radio (NR) user equipment (UE) for receiving LTE radio resource connection (RRC) messages is described. The UE receives an LTE RRC message from an evolved node B (eNB). The UE also determines which data radio bearer (DRB) to offload to a particular 5G NR system. The UE establishes an RRC with the 5G NR system. The UE steers a particular DRB or DRBs to the 5G NR system. The UE acknowledges receiving the LTE RRC message using LTE or NR connections. The UE updates an LTE system with a status of connections to the 5G NR system.