Communication systems, such as an evolved packet system, may benefit from optimizations for frequent small data transmissions. In particular, certain communication systems in which mobile applications require numerous keep-alive messages or presence information may benefit from optimizations to state transitions between active and idle states. A method may include detesting a plurality of small packets that are mobile terminated. The method may also include indicating an inactivity time based on the detecting of the small packets and providing this indication in user plane packets or control signaling to the radio access network.