Provided are systems and methods for releasing a radio resource control (RRC) connection between a user equipment and a radio network controller. The system may include a user equipment and a radio network controller. The user equipment may be configured to transmit a RRC connection release indication when a timer expires in a connected mode and release the RRC connection upon receiving a RRC connection release message. The radio network controller may be configured to receive the RRC connection release indication from the user equipment and transmit the RRC connection release message in response to the RRC connection release indication.