This disclosure relates to techniques for efficient sparse network resource usage and connection release procedures. According to some embodiments, a wireless device may utilize techniques for efficiently releasing a radio resource control (RRC) connection, including techniques that avoid or reduce the occurrence of random access procedures when out-of-sync with the network when the RRC connection is being released. In some embodiments, a wireless device may utilize techniques for efficiently sparsely using network uplink resources, including techniques that avoid or reduce the occurrence of random access procedures to regain timing alignment to perform uplink communication when out-of-sync with the network.