Connection suspension for multiple SIMs

A method comprising:

• registering a first subscriber identity module (“SIM”) with a first mobile communication network;
• registering a second SIM with a second mobile communication network;
• communicating in a connected state with the second mobile communication network;
• detecting activity associated with the first SIM;
• and
• transmitting a connection release request message from the connected state for the second SIM, in response to the detected activity associated with the first SIM, by transmitting one of a radio resource control (“RRC”) layer request message indicating a connection release and a non-access-stratum (“NAS”) layer request message indicating the connection release;
• initiating a state transition timer based on a transmission of the connection release request message;
• and
• transitioning to an idle state in response to expiry of the state transition timer without a reception of a response message from the second mobile communication network.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor that:
• a memory coupled to the processor, the processor configured to:
• receive, from a user equipment (“UE”), a radio resource control (“RRC”) layer request message for connection release associated with a transmission suspension time;
• transmit a connection release response message comprising a timer value for a state transition timer;
• maintain a user equipment access stratum (“UE AS”) context for the UE in a connected state;
• disable downlink transmissions to the UE during the transmission suspension time in response to the RRC layer request message;
• and
• release the UE AS context in response to expiry of the state transition timer.

A method comprising:

• receiving, from a user equipment (“UE”), a radio resource control (“RRC”) layer request message for connection release for associated with a transmission suspension time;
• transmitting a connection release response message comprising a timer value for a state transition timer;
• maintaining a UE access stratum (“UE AS”) context for the UE in a connected state;
• and
• disabling downlink transmission to the UE during the transmission suspension time in response to the RRC layer request message;
• and
• releasing the UE AS context in response to expiry of the state transition timer.