An access node may provide synchronization information to a UE. The access node may further provide one or more information blocks, which may include basic network configuration information. Based on the synchronization information and/or the information block(s), the UE may transmit a message to the access node that includes a random access preamble, an identifier of the UE, and/or a buffer status report. Based on the message from the UE, the access node may determine that the UE should remain active and, therefore, may transmit a response to the first message to the UE indicating that the UE should remain active. Thereafter, the UE may receive a connection setup or connection reconfiguration message. The connection setup or reconfiguration message may be received from the same or different access node from which the UE received the synchronization information and/or the one or more information blocks.