Methods and apparatus are described of changing the discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for a connection between a mobile device (50) and a base station (20) that reduces the likelihood of a dropped connection. A mobile device (50) receives updated configuration parameters for the connection from a base station. A mobile device (50) receives updated configuration parameters for the connection from a base station (20). The mobile device (50) postpones the adoption of the new configuration parameters and continues using previous configuration parameters for the connection after receipt of the new configuration parameters until a subsequent on duration of a DRX cycle has occurred according to the previous configuration. The mobile device (50) applies the updated configuration parameters for the connection in the subsequent on duration. Thereafter, the mobile device (50) turns its receiver on and off in DRX mode according to the new DRX configuration.