Mtc device ping messages via tracking area updates

A computer device comprising:

• a memory storing instructions;
• and
• a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
• intercept a tracking area update response from a wireless network device to a user equipment device;
• delay sending of the intercepted tracking area update response to the user equipment device until a device ping process is performed;
• trigger a device ping process for the user equipment device, in response to intercepting the tracking area update response;
• generate a device ping message based on the triggering;
• send the device ping message to an application system associated with the user equipment device;
• receive a device ping response from the application system;
• incorporate information from the device ping response into the intercepted tracking area update response;
• and
• send the tracking area update response with the incorporated device ping information to the user equipment device.

A non-transitory memory device storing instructions executable by one or more processors, the non-transitory memory device comprising:

• one or more instructions to receive a tracking area update response from a wireless network device to a user equipment device;
• one or more instructions to delay sending of the intercepted tracking area update response to the user equipment device until a device ping process is performed;
• one or more instructions to trigger a device ping process for the user equipment, in response to receiving the tracking area update response;
• one or more instructions to generate a device ping message based on the triggering;
• one or more instructions to send the device ping message to an application system associated with the user equipment device;
• one or more instructions to receive a device ping response from the application system;
• one or more instructions to incorporate information from the device ping response into the received tracking area update response;
• and
• one or more instructions to send the tracking area update response with the incorporated device ping information to the user equipment device.