A method includes, at a user equipment, combining a message requesting the radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service into a single message. The single message is transmitted from the user equipment to a network element in a wireless network. Another method includes receiving, from a user equipment, a single message including both a message requesting a radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service. In response to the message requesting radio resource connection, performing radio resource control connection establishment for the user equipment in order to establish the radio resource control connection between the user equipment and at least one of a plurality of network elements of a wireless network. In response to the message requesting at least one service, performing service request procedures for the user equipment, wherein at least part of the radio resource control connection establishment and at least part of the service request procedures are performed in parallel.