Controlling Fast Dormancy

A method in a node for controlling transitions between operational states for a user equipment, UE, in a radio access network, the operational states comprising a first state and a second state, the method comprising:

• determining a threshold time value for use by the UE in deciding whether or not to request switching from the first state to the second state, and
• transmitting the threshold time value to the UE.

A method in a user equipment, UE, for controlling transitions between operational states for the UE in a radio access network, the operational states comprising a first state and a second state, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a node in the radio access network, a threshold time value,
• obtaining a value representing a prediction of a time interval until reception of a data burst to be handled, and
• transmitting to the node, if the predicted time interval is larger than the received threshold value, a request for switching from the first state to the second state.

A node for controlling transitions between operational states for a user equipment, UE, in a radio access network, the operational states comprising a first state and a second state, the node comprising control and communication circuitry configured to:

• determine a threshold time value for use by the UE in deciding whether or not to request switching from the first state to the second state, and
• transmit the threshold time value to the UE.

A user equipment, UE, for controlling transitions between operational states for the UE in a radio access network, the operational states comprising a first state and a second state, the UE comprising control and communication circuitry configured to:

• receive, from a node in the radio access network, a threshold time value,
• obtain a value representing a prediction of a time interval until reception of a data burst to be handled, and
• transmit to the node, if the predicted time interval is larger than the received threshold value, a request for switching from the first state to the second state.