A communication device mitigates power consumption and communication connectivity lapses in a marginal coverage area with unsatisfactory transmit communication quality and satisfactory receive communication quality of respective uplink and downlinks with a radio access network (RAN) using a first radio access technology (RAT). Based on information of past communication success and failure, a controller of the communication device determines whether communication services can be successfully obtained from the RAN using a second RAT. In response to determining that communication services cannot be successfully obtained using the second RAT, the communication device monitors the downlink with the first RAN using the first RAT to receive any mobile terminated calls. In addition, the communication delays, for a preset period of time, any attempt to establish uplink communication using one of the first and second RATs that are expected to be unsuccessful in the marginal coverage area.