A method for operating a switch in a communication network includes receiving path information of a service flow between a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE from a controller, receiving a packet forwarded through the service flow from a base station, and transmitting the packet to a path determined by the path information. An apparatus for a switch in a communication network includes a controller configured to receive path information of a service flow between a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE from a controller, receive a packet forwarded through the flow from an evolved NodeB and forward the packet to a path determined by the path information. Other embodiments are also disclosed.