Mobile devices constantly switch between idle and connected states to balance
performance and power efficiency. Understanding these activities is essential for anyone
working in mobile networks, radio planning, or device optimization.

In this course, you’ll start with idle mode activities, exploring how devices select and
reselect cells across technologies like GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi. You’ll learn about
power-on procedures, cell selection criteria, location updating, and how routing and tracking
areas are managed. The course explains key parameters such as C1 and C2, and
introduces advanced concepts like URA updates and PLMN selection.

Next, you’ll dive into connected mode activities, covering measurement procedures and
handover strategies for GSM, UMTS, LTE, and 5G. You’ll explore how devices report signal
quality, trigger events for handover, and maintain connectivity during mobility. Topics
include soft handover, outer loop power control, and advanced measurement events (A1–
A6, B1–B2) used in 5G networks. You’ll also learn about automatic neighbour relations and
how they simplify network management.

Designed for professionals in telecoms and wireless engineering, this course provides a
clear, practical introduction to idle and connected mode operations - ideal for anyone
seeking to understand how mobile devices interact with cellular networks in real-world
scenarios.

Course Contents

Idle Mode Activity for Mobile Devices

• GSM Cell Selection
• GSM Cell Reselection
• Location Updating
• UMTS Cell Selection and Reselection
• UMTS Update Procedures
• LTE Power On Procedure
• LTE Cell Reselection
• 5G Cell Selection Procedure
• 5G Cell Reselection
• Wi-Fi Mobility

Connected Mode Activity for Mobile Devices

• GSM Handovers
• UMTS Handovers
• LTE Handovers
• 5G Handovers