Method and apparatus for dynamically changing the monitoring of a cellular data connection

1. A method for changing monitoring of a cellular data connection at a mobile device comprising:

checking, using a processor at the mobile device, whether the mobile device is connected to both the cellular data connection and an alternative data connection; and

if the mobile device is connected to both the cellular data connection and the alternative data connection, determining whether a service or application on the mobile device requires the cellular data connection, wherein the determining uses a linger timer to ensure the service or application is finished with the cellular data connection;

if the service or application does not require the cellular data connection,

extending a slot cycle or suspending monitoring of a slot for the cellular data connection at the mobile device;

periodically checking whether:

a) the service or application requires the cellular data connection; and

b) the alternative data connection has been terminated; and

if the service or application requires the cellular data connection, or if the alternative data connection has been terminated, restoring the slot, cycle or monitoring of the slot for the cellular data connection.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extending is performed based on a request to a network element to extend the slot cycle.

3. The method of claim 1 , Wherein the cellular data connection is an Evolution Data Only connection.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternative data connection is a wireless fidelity or WiMAX connection.

5. A mobile device configured to changing a slot cycle for a cellular data connection comprising:

a cellular communications subsystem;

an alternative data communications subsystem; and

a processor,

the processor, cellular communications subsystem and alternative data communications subsystem cooperating to:

cheek whether the mobile device is connected to both the cellular data connection and an alternative data connection; and

if the mobile device is connected to both the cellular data connection and the alternative data connection, determine whether a service or application on the mobile device requires the cellular data connection, wherein the determining uses a linger timer to ensure the service or application is finished with the cellular data connection;

if the service or application does not require the cellular data connection,

extend a slot cycle or suspend monitoring of a slot for the cellular data connection at the mobile device;

periodically check whether:

a) the service or application requires the cellular data connection; and

b) the alternative data connection has been terminated; and

if the service or application requires the cellular data connection or if the alternative data connection has been terminated, restore the slot cycle or monitoring of the slot for the cellular data connection.

6. The mobile device of claim 5 , wherein the mobile device is configured to request that a network element extend the slot cycle.

7. The mobile device of claim 5 , wherein the cellular communications subsystem is configured for communication over an Evolution Data Only connection.

8. The mobile device of claim 5 , wherein the alternative data communications subsystem is configured for communication over a wireless fidelity or WiMAX connection.

9. A non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium storing instructions for execution by a processor of a mobile device, the instructions comprising code for:

checking whether the mobile device is connected to both a cellular data connection and an alternative data connection; and

if the mobile device is connected to both the cellular data connection and the alternative data connection, determining whether a service or application on the mobile device requires the cellular data connection, wherein the determining uses a linger timer to ensure the service or application is finished with the cellular data connection;

if the service or application does not require the cellular data connection,

extending a slot cycle or suspending monitoring of a slot for the cellular data connection at the mobile device;

periodically checking, whether:

a) the service or application requires the cellular data connection; and

b) the alternative data connection has been terminated; and

if the service or application requires the cellular data connection, or if the alternative data connection has been terminated, restoring the slot cycle or monitoring of the slot for the cellular data connection.

10. The non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the extending is performed based on a request to a network element to extend the slot cycle.

11. The non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the cellular data connection is an Evolution Data Only connection.

12. The non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the alternative data connection is a wireless fidelity or WiMAX connection.