Methods, wireless device, network node and core node for managing reachability of the wireless device

A method performed by a radio base station of a Radio Access Network, RAN, for managing reachability of a user equipment, UE, wherein the UE is in a first connected state wherein the radio base station keeps a first connection, for the UE, to a core node associated with the RAN, wherein the radio base station also keeps a RRC connection with the UE, the method comprising:

• suspending the RRC connection with the UE while keeping the first connection to the core node for the UE;
• starting an Access Stratum, AS, timer at the suspending of the RRC connection;
• receiving from the UE a first message indicating that the UE is reachable;
• and
• restarting the AS timer and keeping the first connection to the core node for the UE.

A user equipment, UE, for managing reachability of the UE, the UE comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the UE is configured to:

• enter from an RRC connected state into an RRC inactive state by suspending an RRC connection to a radio base station in a Radio Access Network, RAN, while staying in a first connected state, wherein there is a first connection between the radio base station and a core node associated with the RAN;
• start an Access Stratum, AS, timer when entering the RRC inactive state;
• and
• send, to the RAN, upon expiry of the AS timer, a first message indicating that the UE is reachable, wherein the first message indicates that the UE is reachable despite there being no established radio connection between the UE and the network, wherein the first message sent to the RAN is initiated when the UE is in the RRC inactive state and when the UE is in the first connected state.

A radio base station of a Radio Access Network, RAN, for managing reachability of a user equipment, UE, the radio base station comprising processing circuitry and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor wherein the radio base station is configured to:

• provide a first connection, for the UE, to a core node associated with the RAN, wherein the UE is in a first connected state and providing an RRC connection over a radio interface with the UE;
• suspend the RRC connection with the UE while keeping the first connection to the core node for the UE;
• start an Access Stratum, AS, timer at the suspension of the RRC connection;
• receive from the UE a first message indicating that the UE is reachable;
• and
• restart the AS timer and keep the first connection to the core node for the UE.