Method and apparatus for synchronizing changes in power saving procedures

Abstract

A method and devices are provided for use in a wireless communications network for affecting changes in a power saving class (PSC) associated with a subscriber terminal. The method comprises the steps of: providing at least one PSC for use by said subscriber terminal; at each of said subscriber terminal and said corresponding base station, setting a counting value for said at least one PSCs to be equal to a pre-defined initial value; and upon transmitting or receiving at either one of said subscriber terminal and said base station a message identifying a change in said at least one PSC, updating operating parameters associated with said at least one PSC and increasing at the respective subscriber terminal or base station, the counting value of the corresponding one or more of said at least one PSC by a pre-determined value. Preferably, the method further comprises transmitting a message which comprises a request to affect a change in power saving status of said subscriber terminal, wherein the message comprises an indication of the counting value associated with a PSC currently available at the side transmitting said message; and upon receiving the message comprising the request to affect a change in the power saving status, determining whether the counting value comprised in the message matches the counting value at the side transmitting that message, and if in the affirmative, evaluating whether the requested change may be carried out.