Managing data communication before and after a state transition

A method in a radio access network, RAN, node for managing communications from a user equipment, UE, during a state transition, the method comprising:

• performing, by the RAN node with the UE in an inactive state, an early data transmission procedure, including communicating at least one data packet of a sequence of data packets with the UE using a packet data convergence protocol, PDCP;
• entity;
• determining, by the RAN node, to transition the UE from the inactive state to a connected state;
• and
• in response to the determining to transition the UE to the connected state:
• refraining from reestablishing the PDCP entity;
• and
• communicating, by the RAN node, a next data packet in the sequence of data packets with the UE using the PDCP entity, or
• retransmitting, by the RAN node, the at least one data packet to the UE using the PDCP entity in response to failing to determine the at least one data packet has been received.