Releasing plural radio connections with omnibus release message

An omnibus connection release message transmitted from a control node of radio access network is used to release plural radio connections, thereby obviating problems attending transmission of plural release messages. In accordance with a first example mode of the present invention, a control node of the radio access network prepares the omnibus release message so that, when a first selected parameter thereof has a predetermined value, all radio connections controlled by the radio network control (RNC) node are released. The first selected parameter can be included in a mobile terminal global identity information element of the omnibus release message (e.g., in a Radio Network Temporary Identity (U-RNTI) information element of the omnibus release message, such as a Serving Radio Network Temporary Identity (S-RNTI) information element). In the first mode, the radio network control (RNC) node can be either a serving radio network control (SRNC) node or a drift radio network control (DRNC) node, and the omnibus release message is prepared upon failure of the serving radio network control (SRNC) node. In accordance with a second example mode, a drift radio network control node of the radio access network prepares the omnibus release message so that, when the first selected parameter thereof has a first predetermined value and a second selected parameter thereof has a second predetermined value, all radio connections in cells controlled by the radio network control node are released. In this second mode, preparation of the omnibus release message occurs upon failure of the drift radio network control (DRNC) node. In an example implementation of the second mode, both the first selected parameter and the second selected parameter are included in a mobile terminal global identity information element of the omnibus release message. For example, the first selected parameter can be in a Serving Radio Network Temporary Identity (S-RNTI) information element, while the second selected parameter can be included in an information element which identifies a serving radio network control (SRNC) node. In illustrated implementations, the omnibus release message is transmitted either on a common control channel (CCCH) in a CELL_FACH state, or on a paging channel (PCH).