A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide for receiving a request from an end device to access a network; obtaining subscription data pertaining to the end device based on the request; determining whether to establish a default bearer during an attachment procedure based on at least one of the request or the subscription data; permitting attachment to the network without establishment of the default bearer based on determining not to establish the default bearer; and storing context data that indicates the end device is attached without the default bearer based on the permitting. Additionally, the method, the device, and the non-transitory storage medium provide for end device-side and network device-side setting up and tearing down of the default bearer subsequent to attachment.