LTE RRC Messages – Complete E-UTRA RRC Message List & Procedures
LTE RRC, or Radio Resource Control, is the control-plane protocol between the UE and the eNodeB. Defined in 3GPP TS 36.331, LTE RRC controls connection establishment, system information, security activation, radio bearer configuration, measurements, mobility, reestablishment, release, MBMS, CSFB, sidelink, UE capability exchange, and radio-access troubleshooting procedures.
Use this page to search or browse LTE RRC messages by procedure category. Each message page explains the message direction, trigger, call-flow role, key fields, and practical troubleshooting notes.
Based on 3GPP TS 36.331
Start typing to search message names, slugs, categories, descriptions, directions, and acronyms.
Broadcast & System Information
Broadcast messages and system information blocks used by the UE to acquire LTE cell access, common radio configuration, mobility information, warning information, and MBMS-related configuration.
RRC Connection Setup
Messages used to establish an LTE RRC connection from idle mode or reject the attempt.
Security
Messages used to activate or reject Access Stratum security in LTE connected mode.
NAS / Information Transfer
RRC container messages used to carry NAS signalling between UE and eNodeB/MME.
Reconfiguration & Bearers
Messages used to configure radio bearers, measurements, mobility, DRX, CA, dual connectivity, and connected-mode radio parameters.
Measurements & Mobility
Messages used for measurement reporting, handover support, inter-RAT mobility, logged measurements, and positioning-related measurement handling.
Reestablishment
Messages used when the UE attempts to recover the RRC connection after radio link failure, handover failure, reconfiguration failure, or other connection problems.
Release
Messages used to release the LTE RRC connection or complete early data related procedures.
UE Capability & Assistance
Messages used to request and report UE radio capabilities and UE-side assistance information.
MBMS / MBSFN
Messages used for LTE MBMS, MBSFN area configuration, MBMS counting, and MBMS interest reporting.
CSFB / CDMA2000
Messages used for cdma2000 interworking and CS fallback related LTE RRC procedures.
Sidelink / ProSe
Messages used for LTE sidelink, ProSe, V2X, and PC5-related information.
Failure & Diagnostics
Messages used to report failures, diagnostics, radio link failure context, random access information, and release-specific failure details.
Release-Specific / Advanced
Additional LTE RRC messages introduced for later releases, segmentation, bandwidth-reduced operation, application-layer measurements, and special procedures.
Most Used LTE RRC Messages
Common LTE RRC Procedure Flows
Cell Acquisition / System Information
MIB -> SIB1 -> System Information -> SIB2/SIB3/SIB4/SIB5...
RRC Connection Setup
RRC Connection Request -> RRC Connection Setup / RRC Connection Reject -> RRC Connection Setup Complete
Security Activation
Security Mode Command -> Security Mode Complete / Security Mode Failure
RRC Reconfiguration
RRC Connection Reconfiguration -> RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete / Failure
Measurement Reporting
RRC Connection Reconfiguration with measurement config -> Measurement Report
RRC Reestablishment
RRC Connection Reestablishment Request -> RRC Connection Reestablishment / Reject -> RRC Connection Reestablishment Complete
Connection Release
RRC Connection Release
UE Capability Exchange
UE Capability Enquiry -> UE Capability Information
MBMS
MBSFN Area Configuration -> MBMS Counting Request -> MBMS Counting Response -> MBMS Interest Indication
FAQ
What are LTE RRC messages?
LTE RRC messages are Radio Resource Control messages exchanged between the UE and eNodeB to manage LTE radio access, connection setup, security, bearer configuration, measurements, mobility, release, MBMS, and UE capability procedures.
Which specification defines LTE RRC?
LTE RRC is defined in 3GPP TS 36.331.
What are the most important LTE RRC messages?
The most commonly analyzed LTE RRC messages include MIB, SIB1, System Information, Paging, RRC Connection Request, RRC Connection Setup, RRC Connection Setup Complete, RRC Connection Reconfiguration, Measurement Report, RRC Connection Release, UE Capability Enquiry, and UE Capability Information.
What is the difference between RRC Connection Setup and RRC Connection Reconfiguration?
RRC Connection Setup establishes the initial RRC connection, while RRC Connection Reconfiguration modifies connected-mode radio configuration, bearers, measurements, mobility, and advanced features.
What is the role of SIB messages in LTE?
SIB messages broadcast common system information such as cell access parameters, radio resource configuration, idle-mode mobility, inter-frequency and inter-RAT reselection, warning information, MBMS, and positioning-related information.
What is RRC Connection Reestablishment used for?
RRC Connection Reestablishment is used when the UE tries to recover an RRC connection after radio link failure, handover failure, reconfiguration failure, or other connection interruption.
What is the difference between LTE RRC and 5G NR RRC?
LTE RRC is used between UE and eNodeB in E-UTRA and is defined in TS 36.331. 5G NR RRC is used between UE and gNB in NR and is defined in TS 38.331.
References
- 3GPP TS 36.331 – E-UTRA Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification
- 3GPP TS 36.300 – E-UTRA and E-UTRAN overall description
- 3GPP TS 36.304 – UE procedures in idle mode
- 3GPP TS 36.306 – UE radio access capabilities