METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PROCESSING PATHS IN A SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORK

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including selecting a second network slice, according to first information and a first characteristic of a first service associated with a communication device. The first network slice is directed to route a first portion of user plane traffic between the communication device and the second network slice, while retaining a second portion according to a second characteristic of the first service. The first network slice retains control plane processing for the communication device. The second network slice is directed to facilitate providing the first service via the first portion of the user plane traffic. Anticipated resource usage information associated with the second network slice is determined and a first virtual network function is instantiated at the second network slice according to the anticipated resource usage information associated with the second network slice. Other embodiments are disclosed.