Methods for a user equipment device to request MAC messages from a base station

A method comprising:

• in a Random-Access Channel (RACH)-less handover procedure of a user equipment (UE) device from a source base station to a target base station, transmitting, at the UE device, control information to the target base station, the RACH-less handover procedure where the UE skips transmitting a RACH to the target base station;
• and
• in response to sending, at the UE device, the control information, receiving, at the UE device, UE Contention Resolution Identity Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element sent from the target base station.

A method comprising:

• in a Random-Access Channel (RACH)-less handover procedure of a user equipment (UE) device from a source base station to a target base station, receiving, at the target base station, control information sent from the UE device, the RACH-less handover procedure where the UE skips transmitting a RACH to the target base station;
• and
• in response to receiving, at the target base station, the control information sent from the UE device, sending, at the target base station, the UE Contention Resolution Identity MAC Control Element to the UE device.