Patent attributes
A method of congestion control (500) in a communications network is provided. The method comprises detecting congestion (501, 502) for data packets being transmitted along a data path between a sender and a receiver of the communications network, wherein the receiver accesses the communications network via a Radio Access Network (RAN), interrupting transmission (503, 505, 506) of data packets to the receiver during an idle period, and transmitting an indication (504) pertaining to the interruption of transmission to the RAN. Thereby, the RAN may use opportunities for switching to a lower radio state directly, or shortly after, the onset of the idle period, rather than triggered by an inactivity timer. In that way, utilization of air interface resources is improved and power consumption on the UE side is reduced. Further, a corresponding computer program, a corresponding computer program product, and a network node for congestion control in a communications network, are provided.