COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

A communications device establishes a communications context for communicating data packets using a packet communications bearer from the communications device via the mobile communications network in a connected state and releases communications context when in an idle state. A controller of the communications device is configured in combination with a receiver to receive signalling information providing an indication of one or more functions performed by at least one of the receiver, a transmitter or the controller which can be changed in a power saving state, and when in either the idle state or the connected state, to enter the power saving state in which the one or more of the operations performed by at least one of the receiver, the transmitter or the controller are changed in accordance with the indication of the changed functions received in the signalling information from the mobile communications network. In one example the mobile communications network also transmits second signalling information providing an indication of predetermined conditions for entering a power saving state from either the idle state or the connected state. Accordingly the mobile communications network can control the operations of a communications device so that it can be arranged to enter a power saving state, for each communications device and for each connection. As such a communications device can be configured to enter a power saving state in accordance with its capabilities and its function.