A method for improving availability of a type of network element in a mobile network includes receiving a first message from a source network element at a first network element instance that belongs to a network element anycast set. The first message is addressed to an anycast address that is assigned to the network element anycast set. The first network element instance processes the first message and accesses an anycast set data store in relation to processing the first message. The method also includes receiving a second message from the source network element at a second network element instance that also belongs to the network element anycast set. The second message is also addressed to the anycast address and can be received when the first network element instance is unavailable. The second network element instance processes the second message and accesses the anycast set data store in relation thereto.