Communication of data

The present invention relates to data communication systems. In the disclosed method a data channel is first activated between a first and a second station. A timer function is started so as to control the state of the data channel. The data channel is maintained in a ready state at least until the timer function indicates an expiry of a predefined period. The arrangement is such that after a data transmission is initiated on the data channel the state of the data channel is prevented to be changed from the ready state to another state based on the timer function. The change is allowed only after a predefined event occurs. The system may be provided with a further timer that is implemented in a lower function layer than said timer function.