RRC 5G UE -> gNB 3GPP TS 38.331

5G NR - RRC Resume Complete

RRC Resume Complete is the UE-to-network NR RRC message confirming that the suspended or inactive context was resumed successfully.

Message Fact Sheet

Protocol	rrc	Network	5g
Spec	3GPP TS 38.331	Spec Section	5.3.13, 6.2.2
Direction	UE -> gNB	Message Type	Connection Resume

Full message name	5G NR - RRC Resume Complete
Protocol	RRC
Technology	5G
Direction	UE -> gNB
Interface	Uu
Signaling bearer / channel	SRB1 / UL-DCCH
Typical trigger	Used when the UE successfully applies RRC Resume.
Main purpose	Closes the resume procedure by telling the network that the UE applied the restored context and normal connected-mode behavior can continue.
Main specification	3GPP TS 38.331, 5.3.13, 6.2.2
Release added	Release 15
Procedures where used	RRC Resume, Inactive-to-Connected Transition
Related timers	None highlighted
Related cause values	None highlighted

What is RRC Resume Complete in simple terms?

RRC Resume Complete is the UE-to-network NR RRC message confirming that the suspended or inactive context was resumed successfully.

Closes the resume procedure by telling the network that the UE applied the restored context and normal connected-mode behavior can continue.

Why this message matters

RRC Resume Complete tells the network that the UE successfully resumed the prior context.

Where this message appears in the call flow

RRC Resume

Call flow position: Final UE confirmation at the end of the resume path.

Typical state: UE has resumed the connected context.

Preconditions:

The UE received and applied RRC Resume.

Next likely message: Normal connected-mode operation

Call flow position

Previous message(s): RRC Resume

Next message(s): Normal connected signaling

Message direction and transport

Sender and receiver: UE -> gNB

Interface: Uu

Domain: Access-side radio control

Signaling bearer: SRB1

Logical channel: UL-DCCH

Transport / encapsulation: Dedicated protected RRC signaling

Security context: Sent after the UE accepts the resumed context.

Message Structure Overview

This message is a procedural acknowledgment, not a heavy configuration payload.

ASN.1 for 5G NR - RRC Resume Complete

RRCResumeComplete ::= SEQUENCE {
  criticalExtensions CHOICE {
    rrcResumeComplete RRCResumeComplete-IEs,
    ...
  }
}

How to read this ASN.1

The main value is confirmation that the resume path really completed.

Decoded Message Dump

UL-DCCH-Message
  message: rrcResumeComplete

How to read this dump

If this message is present, the UE accepted the resumed context.

Important Information Elements

IE	Required	Description
`lateNonCriticalExtension`	Optional	Extension field for later release handling.

Detailed field explanation

`lateNonCriticalExtension`

Extension field for later release handling.

Presence: Optional

What to check in logs and traces

Check that RRC Resume happened immediately before the complete.
Follow what signaling or user-plane activity resumes next.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

The network sends resume but never gets a completion.

Likely cause: The UE may not have accepted or applied the resumed context.

What to inspect: Check lower layers, state alignment, and any later setup fallback.

Next step: Compare missing completion with later fresh setup or release.

Detailed explanation

5G NR - RRC Resume Complete Explained

RRC Resume Complete is a 5G NR RRC message reference page for engineers who need to understand what the message carries, where it fits in the procedure, and what to inspect in traces when behavior does not match expectation.

RRC Resume Complete is the UE-to-network NR RRC message confirming that the suspended or inactive context was resumed successfully. Closes the resume procedure by telling the network that the UE applied the restored context and normal connected-mode behavior can continue.

What is RRC Resume Complete in simple terms?

RRC Resume Complete is the uplink NR RRC message the UE sends to the network when this specific procedure step needs to be requested, reported, or confirmed.

Closes the resume procedure by telling the network that the UE applied the restored context and normal connected-mode behavior can continue.

Why this message matters

it directly affects RRC Resume, Inactive-to-Connected Transition
The network sends resume but never gets a completion
Used when the UE successfully applies RRC Resume

Where this message appears in the call flow

RRC Resume Complete is typically seen during RRC Resume. Engineers usually read it together with the messages just before and just after it so they can tell whether the procedure is progressing normally or drifting into a fallback or failure path.

The UE is usually in UE has resumed the connected context when engineers evaluate this message in traces. In the main procedure context, it appears final UE confirmation at the end of the resume path. Before this message appears, the important preconditions are The UE received and applied RRC Resume..

Simplified sequence:

UE                       gNB / Network
|                        |
|<-- RRC Resume -----------|
|--- RRC Resume Complete ----------->|
|<-- Normal connected signaling -----------|

Message direction and transport

sender: UE
receiver: gNB
interface: Uu
signaling bearer: SRB1
signaling channel: UL-DCCH
transport type: Dedicated protected RRC signaling
domain: Access-side radio control
security context: Sent after the UE accepts the resumed context.

Important Information Elements

IE	Why it matters
`lateNonCriticalExtension`	Extension field for later release handling.

Example message dump

UL-DCCH-Message
  message: rrcResumeComplete

How to read this dump

If this message is present, the UE accepted the resumed context.

FAQ

What does RRC Resume Complete mean?

It means the UE successfully completed the resume procedure.

Summary

RRC Resume Complete is the UE-to-network NR RRC message confirming that the suspended or inactive context was resumed successfully.

Advanced Engineer Notes

Missing this message is one of the fastest indicators that resume did not really succeed.

Related message pages

Related Procedures

5G RRC Resume

Related Tools

Use This Reference in Practice

Decode this message with the 3GPP Decoder, inspect the related message database, or open the matching call flow to see where this signaling step fits in the full procedure.