Several related methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication
for a wireless communication device after a communication loss between
the wireless device and a wireless communication network are disclosed.
In one illustrative example, the wireless network broadcasts identifiers
of wireless devices associated with communication losses in the wireless
network over a control channel. After regaining signal coverage, a
wireless device monitors the control channel to decode and compare each
broadcasted identifier with an identifier of the wireless device. Based
on a match between a broadcasted identifier and the identifier of the
wireless device, the wireless device transmits a control message which
informs the wireless network of the presence of the wireless device.
Otherwise, the wireless device normally refrains from transmitting the
control message to the wireless network. Advantageously, communication
with the wireless network is re-established (if at all necessary) without
overburdening the wireless link with unnecessary traffic.