Core network awareness of user equipment, UE, state

A method for use in a core network node of receiving radio resource control (RRC) state information of a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

• sending, to a network node, a subscription request to receive a notification of a transition of the UE between a first RRC state and a second RRC state, wherein the subscription request includes a periodicity for receiving the notification, wherein the periodicity specifies whether the notification is a one-time notification or a notification for each subsequent transition of the UE between the first RRC state and the second RRC state;
• and
• upon the network node determining the UE transitioned between the first RRC state and the second RRC state, receiving the notification from the network node.

A core network node capable of receiving radio resource control (RRC) state information of a user equipment (UE), the method core network node comprising processing circuitry operable to:

• send, to a network node, a subscription request to receive a notification of a transition of the UE between a first RRC state and a second RRC state, wherein the subscription request includes a periodicity for receiving the notification, wherein the periodicity specifies whether the notification is a one-time notification or a notification for each subsequent transition of the UE between the first RRC state and the second RRC state;
• and
• upon the network node determining the UE transitioned between the first RRC state and the second RRC state, receive the notification from the network node.