Methods and apparatus for reestablishing a data connection with a wireless communication network

1. A method for use in a wireless communication device for communications with a wireless communication network, the method comprising the acts of:

causing a message to be sent to the wireless network for causing data connection parameters of a previous data connection to be reset;

causing a request for a new data connection to be sent to the wireless network after the message is sent; and

communicating data over the new data connection with use of new data connection parameters.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data connection parameters comprise an encryption parameter.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a disconnect frame.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data connection comprises an attachment to the wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing the recited actions in response to a communication failure.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data connection comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a communication failure causes the data connection parameters in the wireless device to be reset without the data connection parameters in the wireless network to be reset.

8. The method of claim 1 , which is performed in response to a communication failure with the wireless communication network, the communication failure comprising an out-of-coverage condition between the wireless device and the wireless network.

9. The method of claim 1 , which is executed in accordance with computer instructions stored on a computer readable medium by one or more processors for performing the method.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a disconnect frame as defined in a Logical Link Control (LLC) specification.

11. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a radio transceiver;

one or more controllers coupled to the radio transceiver;

the one or more controllers being adapted to:

causing a message to be sent, to the wireless network via the radio transceiver, for causing data connection parameters of a previous data connection to be reset;

causing a request for a new data connection to be sent to the wireless network via the radio transceiver after the message is sent; and

communicating data over the new data connection with the wireless network, via the radio transceiver, with use of new data connection parameters.

12. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the data connection parameters comprise an encryption parameter.

13. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the message comprises a disconnect frame.

14. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more controllers are further adapted to maintain the new data connection by maintaining an attachment to the wireless network.

15. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more controllers are further adapted to, after causing the request to be sent, cause a packet data protocol (PDP) context request to be sent to the wireless network.

16. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein a communication failure occurs which comprises a reset of the wireless device without a successful communication of a detach message to the wireless network.

17. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein a communication failure causes the data connection parameters in the wireless device to be reset without the data connection parameters in the wireless network to be reset.

18. The wireless device of claim 11 , which is performed in response to the communication failure which comprises an out-of-coverage condition between the wireless device and the wireless network.

19. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the data connection comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection.

20. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the message comprises a disconnect frame as defined in a Logical Link Control (LLC) specification.