In one example, a control plane entity obtains an indication that a User Equipment (UE) has entered an idle mode. The control plane entity sets a routing locator corresponding to the UE to cause the control plane entity to trigger a paging request toward the UE to prompt the UE to transition from the idle mode when a first network node obtains a downlink packet destined for the UE. The control plane entity obtains a notification that the first network node has obtained the downlink packet and initiates the paging request toward the UE. The control plane entity updates the routing locator corresponding to the UE to cause the first network node to transmit further downlink packets destined for the UE toward a second network node configured to handle traffic on behalf of the UE.