A method for improving the performance of random access when establishing a communication link between a user equipment (UE) and a radio network (UTRAN) the method includes transmitting a random access message (RAM) from the user equipment (UE) to the radio network (UTRAN), wherein the radio random access message (RAM) contains information describing a functional capability (UB_CAPABILITY) of the user equipment (UE). Thereby, the network knows the capabilities of the terminal as early as possible and can thus optimize all functions performed by the network to be in conformity with the terminal capabilities.