Technology is discussed for allowing a wireless mobile device, such as a User Equipment (UE), to coordinate with a Radio Access Network, such as an Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), to tear down a power intensive messaging connection, such as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, to met needs of both the UE and the E-UTRAN. The UE can initiate the tear down process based on information at the UE about the potential need of the UE for the RRC connection and/or the state of the UE's battery charge. The E-UTRAN can then determine whether to grant the request based on the potential overhead involved. The determination can be important to the E-UTRAN because of the large overhead associated with frequent disconnection and re-establishment of the RRC connection. Upon receipt of an affirmative response, the UE can tear down the RRC connection to save battery power.