Embodiments include methods of operating a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell provided by a base station in a cellular communications network. These embodiments include establishing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the base station, such that the UE is operating in an RRC Connected state according to a first value of a parameter (e.g., a time alignment timer value) affecting the UE's uplink synchronization with the serving cell. These embodiments also include initiating a reconfiguration of the RRC connection towards the base station and, in response to initiating the reconfiguration, receiving from the base station a second value of the parameter affecting the UE's uplink synchronization with the serving cell. These embodiments also include operating in an RRC Connected state according to the second value of the parameter. Other embodiments include UEs configured to perform operations corresponding to these methods.