A method for operating a network comprising a primary station communicating with a plurality of secondary stations, the method comprising: the primary station communicating with a secondary station in a discontinuous mode; the secondary station transmitting to the primary station a control message based on a current status of the secondary station, the control message comprising an indication of the current status of the secondary station; the primary station changing a parameter of the discontinuous mode based on the control message received from the secondary station to obtain a changed parameter of the discontinuous mode; and the secondary station receiving from the primary station the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode, characterized in that: the indication of the current status of the secondary station takes the form of an information element carrying information about the secondary station 's current energy status and desired quality of service; the secondary station determines, upon receipt of the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode, either to implement the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode or to retain the existing parameter of the discontinuous mode; and the secondary station transmits to the primary station an acknowledgement when determining to implement the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode or an indication of configuration failure when determining to retain the existing parameter of the discontinuous mode. the primary station communicating with a secondary station in a discontinuous mode; the secondary station transmitting to the primary station a control message based on a current status of the secondary station, the control message comprising an indication of the current status of the secondary station; the primary station changing a parameter of the discontinuous mode based on the control message received from the secondary station to obtain a changed parameter of the discontinuous mode; and the secondary station receiving from the primary station the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode, characterized in that: the indication of the current status of the secondary station takes the form of an information element carrying information about the secondary station 's current energy status and desired quality of service; the secondary station determines, upon receipt of the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode, either to implement the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode or to retain the existing parameter of the discontinuous mode; and the secondary station transmits to the primary station an acknowledgement when determining to implement the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode or an indication of configuration failure when determining to retain the existing parameter of the discontinuous mode. the indication of the current status of the secondary station takes the form of an information element carrying information about the secondary station 's current energy status and desired quality of service; the secondary station determines, upon receipt of the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode, either to implement the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode or to retain the existing parameter of the discontinuous mode; and the secondary station transmits to the primary station an acknowledgement when determining to implement the changed parameter of the discontinuous mode or an indication of configuration failure when determining to retain the existing parameter of the discontinuous mode.