A method for determining synchronization of uplink timing in a machine type communication (MTC) system comprising a machine type communication device (MTCD) and a network element is disclosed that takes advantage of the MTCD being at a fixed location relative to the network element. The method includes receiving at the MTCD an uplink timing adjustment value from the network element and storing the uplink timing adjustment value at the MTCD. The MTCD then uses the stored uplink timing adjustment value from a previous uplink transmission for synchronizing uplink timing for a subsequent uplink transmission from the MTCD to the network element even following a period of inactivity of the MTCD, or expiration of any existing maximum uplink timing alignment period permitted for use of the timing adjustment value by the MTCD, or MTCD clock drift.