A method and device for transmitting a sequence of messages from a handheld telecommunications device to a telecommunications network is described, the sequence of messages comprising a plurality of messages to be transmitted at specified times. The method comprises transmitting a message of the sequence of messages and turning off at least one of the transmitter and receiver of the device after transmission of at least one of the messages in the sequence of messages. The method has particular application to messages that terminate a radio connection, such as RRC Connection Release Complete messages in a UMTS system.