Systems, methods and media for small cell idle mode mobility

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory to store data;
• at least one processor to:
• receive, at a first small cell, a message including a mobility area update request from a user equipment (UE);
• determine, based on at least the mobility area update request, whether to initiate a core network update or a local update;
• initiate the determined core network update or the local update;
• send to the UE, based on whether a core network update or a local update is initiated, a core network-generated mobility area update accept message or a locally generated mobility area update accept message;
• and
• send a local periodic timer to the UE instructing the UE to send another mobility area update request when the local periodic timer expires.

At least one non-transitory computer readable media comprising logic that when executed is operable to:

• receive, at a first small cell, a message including a mobility area update request from a user equipment (UE);
• determine, based on at least the mobility area update request, whether to initiate a core network update or a local update;
• initiate the determined core network update or the local update;
• send to the UE, based on whether a core network update or a local update is initiated, a core network-generated mobility area update accept message or a locally generated mobility area update accept message;
• and
• send a local periodic timer to the UE instructing the UE to send another mobility area update request when the local periodic timer expires.