Keeping a terminal in a connected state while the terminal is away from a communication network

A first network apparatus in a communication network, the apparatus comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transceiver, the processor and the transceiver configured to cause the apparatus to:
• receive a request from a terminal to leave the communication network;
• determine to keep the terminal in a mobility management (“MM”) Connected state while the terminal is away from the communication network;
• identify a leave time for the terminal;
• and
• send, to a second network function, an indication that the terminal is leaving for the determined away time, said indication including an instruction not to release a user plane context of the terminal.

A terminal apparatus in a first communication network, the apparatus comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transceiver, the processor and the transceiver configured to cause the apparatus to:
• transmit a first request to leave the first communication network;
• receive a response message from a first network function, said response message comprising an away time and an instruction to keep the terminal in a mobility management (“MM”) Connected state;
• perform communication activity in a second communication network;
• and
• transmit a resume message to the first network function, said resume message indicating the terminal has returned to the first communication network.