A method in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving a reconfiguration message, and stopping and resetting a timer inhibiting a mobile device from transmitting a signaling connection release indication message while the timer is running and clearing any value associated with the timer if the received reconfiguration message is for radio bearer reconfiguration and a new universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) radio network temporary identifier (U-RNTI) is included.