A device may receive a request to establish a packet data network (PDN) session for a user device. The device may provide a first instruction to establish the PDN session for the user device with a temporary default bearer based on receiving the request. The temporary default bearer may be maintained for less than a duration of the PDN session. The device may receive an indication to release the temporary default bearer after providing the first instruction to establish the PDN session. The device may provide a second instruction to release the temporary default bearer and maintain one or more signaling sessions associated with the PDN session based on receiving the indication to release the temporary default bearer. The one or more signaling sessions, associated with the PDN session, may be maintained after the temporary default bearer has been released.