Default EPS Bearer Context Activation Procedure

Default EPS Bearer Context activation Procedure

  •          Default EPS Bearer Context activation Procedure is an ESM procedure initiated by network.
  •          This procedure is used to establish a default EPS bearer context between the UE and EPC.
  •          Initiated by network in response to PDN connectivity request from UE.
  •          The default bearer context activation can be part of attach procedure. If attach procedure fails default bearer context establish also fails.
  •          Default EPS bearer context doesn’t have any TFT assigned during activation, but network may anytime assign a TFT after establishment and may modify the TFT or packet filter of this default bearer.
  •          Default bearer context activation procedure initiated by MME by sending Active Default EPS Bearer Context Request.
  •          In case initial attach if default bearer is activated , the Activate default EPS bearer context request is sent in attach accept message.
  •          If Activate default EPS bearer context request is sent in response to PDN connectivity request from UE, MME will start T3485.
  •          MME will assign an EPS bearer identity in ACTIVATE DEFAULT EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST.
  •          MME will retrieve the PTI from PDN CONNECTIVITY request sent in the activate request from UE.
  •          UE should verify the PTI (procedure transaction id) received in the message from network with the PTI sent from UE.
  •          UE shall send a reject message with one of the following reject causes

o   #26  Insuffiencent Resources
o   #31  Request rejected, Unspecified
o   #95-111 protocol error
  •          If UE provided APN in PDN connection request and received ACTIVATE DEFAULT EPS BEARER CONTEXT REQUEST UE shall stop T3396 if it is running for APN provided by UE.
  •          If the PDN request is for emergency UE should not stop T3396 if it is running.


·         EPS BEARER :

o   Established between UE to P-GW( E-RAB +S8 bearer)
o   E-RAB is established between UE and S-GW(Radio bearer +S1 bearer)
o   S8 bearer is established between S-GW to P-GW
o   Radio bearer is established between UE and eNodeB.
o   S1 bearer is established between eNodeB to S-GW
·          Default Bearer :
o   Established while attach. Per PDN connection one default bearer will be established. Allocates IP address to UE.
o   No QOS, TFT or Guaranteed bit rate.

·         Dedicated Bearer :
o   Dedicated bearer will be linked to a default bearer.
o   QOS can be Guaranteed bit rate or Non-Guaranteed  bit rate.
o   If default bearer is deactivated dedicated bearer will also be deactivated.



 Reference : 3 GPP TS 24.301