Embodiments of an Evolved Node-B (eNB) and methods for transition between idle and connected modes are disclosed herein. The eNB may receive uplink data packets from a User Equipment (UE) using a lightweight Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the eNB and the UE. The eNB may transmit an RRC connection release message to the UE to indicate a transition of the UE to an RRC idle mode for the RRC connection. The RRC connection release message may include an indicator of whether the UE is to store context information for the RRC connection. The eNB may further receive additional uplink data packets according to the stored context information using a lightweight RRC connection.