As shown on FIG. 2a, when the originating UE 210 is to make a VoLTE call to a terminating UE, it may initiate a service request procedure to change its status from ECM (EPS connection Management)-IDLE to ECM-CONNECTED. ECM-CONNECTED means E-RAB is established between UE 210 and EPC. To start a SIP session, UE 210 sends SIP INVITE message to IMS/AS 230 via eNodeB 220. IMS/AS 230 transfers SIP 180 RINGING message to UE 210 upon receipt of SIP 180 RINGING message from the terminating UE.
An inactivity timer in eNodeB 220 is set to expire when there is no user plane packet on E-RAB established between UE 210 and EPC in a predefined time period. If no user plane packets are exchanged on E-RAB, i.e. E-RAB is unused, at expiration of the inactivity timer, the E-RAB is released, and UE 210 changes to ECM-IDLE status. At this time, since the call is neither answered nor cancelled, the SIP session is not completed.
Thereafter, as shown on FIG. 2a, IMS/AS 230 may receive a SIP answer message (200 OK [INVITE]) for answering the call from the terminating UE. Upon receipt of the SIP answer message, IMS/AS 230 transfers it to the VoLTE UE via EPC. This results in Network Triggered Service Request procedure to change status of UE 210 from ECM-IDLE to ECM-CONNECTED again. This means E-RAB between UE 210 and EPC is reestablished for continuing the SIP session. When UE 210 is in ECM-CONNECTED status, the SIP answer message is sent to it.