Method and apparatus for providing efficient discontinuous communication

An apparatus comprising:

• a discontinuous communication module configured to perform a discontinuous communication procedure that defines an on-period for permitting transmission of data over a network, and to determine whether a resource allocation has been made to a user equipment for communicating over the network,
• wherein the discontinuous communication module is further configured to generate, if the resource allocation has been made, a keep-awake message to instruct the user equipment to extend the on-period.

A method comprising:

• receiving a keep-awake message indicating extension of an on-period of a discontinuous communication procedure over a network,
• wherein the keep-awake message was generated in response to determining that a resource allocation has been made.

An apparatus comprising:

• a discontinuous communication module configured to receive a keep-awake message indicating extension of an on-period of a discontinuous communication mechanism over a network,
• wherein the keep-awake message was generated in response to determining that a resource allocation has been made.