LTE: When does a network prefer periodic tracking area update from an UE ?

Question

There are two ways for tracking area update procedure to get triggered from UE to network . One is known as periodic and other one as non-periodic.

Answer 1

I have some thoughts over this query and would like to share here.
In rural areas, network nodes density may be less. I meant to say, no. of nodes in the network would be less so the event based TAU would be helpful.
But in case of urban areas where the no. of network nodes (macro cells, pico cells and femto cells) would be more and assume a single tracking area covers all these cells . In such case, an operator would prefer to have periodic tracking area update procedure for an UE.

Timer 3412 is defined for the TAU periodic timer. The default value of TAU timer is 54 mins.

Answer 2

I hope I understood your question

Periodic tracking area updating is used to periodically notify the availability of the UE to the network. The procedure is controlled in the UE by the periodic tracking area update timer (timer T3412). The value of timer T3412 is sent by the network to the UE in the ATTACH ACCEPT message and can be sent in the TRACKING AREA UPDATE ACCEPT message. UE uses this value in all tracking areas of the list of tracking areas assigned to the UE, until a new value is received.

Credit: http://www.lteandbeyond.com/2013/03/periodic-tracking-area-update-tau.html

Comments

But My concern is when does a network prefer periodic and when not ?

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No idea about that lets wait for someone to comment...