NETWORK NODE FOR OPERATION UNDER NON-AVAILABILITY OF APPLICATION CONTROL HUB

The invention is directed to a network node (100) for communicating in a wireless communication network (150) that comprises an application unit (102) for performing one or more predetermined application functions. The network node comprises an input interface (104) for receiving availability signals (AS) indicative of an availability or non-availability of a respective application control hub for centralized control of data exchange (130) with respect to the respective application function. An operation-control unit (106) is configured to switch operation of the application unit from a centralized-operation mode to a distributed operation mode upon determining that the availability signal is indicative of the non-availability of the respective application control hub thus implementing an alternative operation mode where instead of providing first wireless communication signals (S1) to the application control hub, second communication signals (S2) are sent directly to one or more of the target network nodes (132).