Radio network controller (rnc) and method for optimising decision regarding operational states for an umts user equipment (ue)

A method of reducing signalling load in a wireless communication system comprising an infrastructure element that allocates wireless resources to one of said plurality of wireless communication units dependent upon an operational state of a wireless communication unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• quantifying a cost function for a particular service or quality of service accessed by said wireless communication unit in order to transition between wireless communication unit operational states;
• the method characterised by the steps of:
• evaluating a cost function derivative to identify an algorithm parameter, wherein said cost function is dependent upon a variable traffic profile of a service or quality of service accessed by said wireless communication unit;
• and
• transitioning said wireless communication unit between a plurality of operational states based on said evaluation.