An apparatus and method for decreasing the number of bearer connections by transmitting a data packet in order to determine a network connection status at a time of bearer connection necessarily performed by a portable terminal together with a location registration message. Reduced battery consumption in the portable terminal is achieved because of the reduced number of bearer connections. The apparatus includes a transmission time determination unit for reconfiguring a data packet transmission time to a time of bearer connection necessarily performed by the portable terminal when a data packet is transmitted to determine the network connection status, and a controller for providing control to transmit the data packet is transmitted while connecting the bearer at the reconfigured data packet transmission time, wherein the reconfigured data packet transmission time may be advanced or delayed of the initial transmission time.