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

Transport of NAS Message

  • This procedure is used to carry SMS messages in an encapsulated form between UE and the MME.
  • Can be initiated by the UE or the network and can only be used when UE is attached for “EPS services and Non EPS services” or “EPS services with SMS only” and UE in connected mode.


UE initiated:
  • To send an SMS UE iniates UPLINK NAS TRANSPORT message including the SMS message in NAS message container IE.


Network Initiated:
  • Network sends DOWNLINK NAS TRANSPORT message which will be sent to SMS entity by EMM entity at the UE.


Generic NAS transport message :
  • Used to send other type of data, example an LCS application to send LPP message or a location service message.
  • Should not send uplink NAS transport message when timer T3346 is running unless

i)                    UE configured to use access class AC11-AC15
ii)                  UE has PDN connection established for emergency services.