Reference signal in disconnected mode

A method of operating an access node of a communications network, the method comprising:

• transmitting, to a wireless communication device operating in a connected mode, at least one downlink message comprising a configuration information indicative of at least one configuration of a sporadically-on transmission of a reference signal, wherein the at least one configuration includes at least time frequency resources allocated to the sporadically-on transmission of the reference signal;
• when the wireless communication device operates in the connected mode:
• receiving an uplink message from the wireless communication device, the uplink message being indicative of a capability of the wireless communication device to monitor for the reference signal in accordance with the at least one configuration when operating in the disconnected mode;
• selectively configuring the sporadically-on transmission of the reference signal for the wireless communication device operating in the disconnected mode based on the capability of the wireless communication device;
• and
• performing the sporadically-on transmission of the reference signal when the wireless communication device operates in a disconnected mode using a discontinuous reception cycle.