Method for reducing signalling

A mobility management entity (MME) adapted for user equipment (UE) context setup in an eNodeB, the MME being adapted to:

• receive an initial UE message from the eNodeB, the message being sent to initiate a UE context setup, the UE message identifying a UE sending a setup request, send an initial UE context setup request to the eNodeB in response to said initial UE message, wherein initial UE context setup request includes timer setup information for said eNodeB to use to define an inactivity timer time period;
• wherein the timer setup information is defined by the MME on the basis of IMEISV International Mobile Equipment Identity Software Version (IMEISV) or International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI);
• wherein the eNodeB increase the time period of the inactivity timer when the number of handovers for the UE are reduced or the number of service requests from the UE are increased;
• and
• wherein the eNodeB reduces said time period of the inactivity timer when the number of handovers for the UE are increased or the number of service requests from the UE are reduced.

An eNodeB adapted for user equipment (UE) context setup, the eNodeB comprising an inactivity timer releasing a UE context being setup in the eNodeB after a defined time period, the eNodeB being adapted to:

• receive a setup request from a UE;
• send an initial UE message to a mobility management entity (MME) in response to said request to initiate a UE context setup, the initial UE message identifying the UE, wherein the MME is configured to respond to the initial UE message by sending to the eNodeB an initial UE context setup request that includes timer setup information for said UE, wherein the eNodeB is configured such that the eNodeB does not forward the initial UE context setup request to the UE;
• receive the initial UE context setup request from the MME;
• send to the MME an initial context response complete in response to receiving the initial UE context setup request from the MEE;
• configure, on the basis of the timer setup information for said UE included in the initial UE context setup request received from the MME, the time period of the inactivity timer for the UE context being setup;
• wherein the timer setup information is defined by the MME on the basis of IMEISV International Mobile Equipment Identity Software Version (IMEISV) or International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI);
• wherein the eNodeB is adapted to increase the time period of the inactivity timer when the number of handovers for the UE are reduced or the number of service requests from the UE are increased;
• and
• wherein the eNodeB is adapted to reduce the time period of the inactivity timer when the number of handovers for the UE are increased or the number of service requests from the UE are reduced.