Dynamic control of the length of time that an RRC connection exists is implemented based on the known and anticipated data needs of the UE. More specifically, the lifetime of the RRC connection may be a) initially set, b) extended, or c) shortened, even to the point of substantially immediately releasing it, based on the expected data transmission needs of the UE. This dynamic control is implemented by elements of the core network which are aware of the known and anticipated data needs of the UE. The UE needs are a function of the applications running on the UE. In one LTE-based embodiment, the RRC release timer is responsive to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), which can access information about the applications that are running at the UE. In another embodiment, the RRC release timer is responsive to the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF).