A wireless communications device supports a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer having a plurality of states, which include states in which no uplink communications is possible with a base station. The RRC layer receives a reconfiguration procedure from the base station that initiates a base station relocation procedure for the wireless device. The wireless device transmits confirmation information to the base station in response to the reconfiguration procedure. The RRC layer receives acknowledgement that the base station successfully received the confirmation information. Finally, while in one of the previously mentioned states, and in response to the acknowledgement, the RRC layer re-establishes a Radio Link Control (RLC) entity supported by the wireless device to effect the base station relocation procedure. In another embodiment, the RRC layer re-establishes the RLC entity when transitioning to a state in which uplink activity is possible.