Methods and apparatus for storing the context of a user equipment in a database during a change in radio resource control state

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
• receive instructions to change a radio resource control state to an inactive state, wherein the instructions comprise an inactive user equipment identifier;
• configure the apparatus to switch to the inactive state;
• cause a radio resource control connect request to be transmitted to a target base station along with the inactive user equipment identifier and a message authentication code;
• and
• change the radio resource control state to a connected state in response to direction from the target base station.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a user equipment, instructions to change a radio resource control state to an inactive state, wherein the instructions comprise an inactive user equipment identifier;
• configuring the user equipment to switch to the inactive state;
• causing a radio resource control connect request to be transmitted to a target base station along with the inactive user equipment identifier and a message authentication code;
• and
• changing the radio resource control state to a connected state in response to direction from the target base station.

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing instruction that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
• determine that a radio resource control state of a user equipment should be changed;
• cause a context of the user equipment and a security key to be transmitted to at least one database;
• receive an inactive user equipment identifier from the at least one database;
• and
• instruct the user equipment to change the radio resource control state to an inactive state by causing the inactive user equipment identifier to be provided to the user equipment.