Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, comprising: receiving, by a first access network device from a core network device, signaling destined for a terminal, wherein the terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode; sending a first paging message to a second access network device for paging the terminal, wherein the first access network device and the second access network device are in same paging area; and receiving, from the second access network device, first indication information indicating that the terminal has connected to the second access network device. In the embodiments of the present application, after receiving the signaling destined for the terminal from the core network device, the first access network device can learn the terminal has connected to the second access network device, and therefore performs proper subsequent processing.