Methods, apparatuses and computer readable media are described that adjust radio resource control connection states between a mobile wireless device and a wireless network following determination that a set of inactivity trigger conditions is met. Time periods between successive data messages and/or signaling messages transmitted to and/or received from a wireless access network are measured. When a prolonged period of data inactivity and/or signaling activity is determined, the mobile wireless device re-establishes an existing radio resource control connection to the wireless access network or releases the radio resource control connection to the wireless access network and transitions to an idle state.