Embodiments provide efficient channel access utilizing a channel assessment mode and include determining that a predetermined condition exists on a radio bandwidth (e.g., unlicensed band); and, in response to determining that the predetermined condition exists on the radio bandwidth, initiating the channel assessment mode on the mobile device, where the channel assessment mode is configured to implement a channel assessment scheme configured for efficiently accessing a channel on the radio bandwidth. Some embodiments monitor the radio bandwidth for one or more triggering events indicative of interference; and detect at least one of the one or more triggering events indicative of interference on the radio bandwidth in order to determine the predetermined condition exists. These triggering events may include determining a current/historic packet collision probability is above a threshold, detecting signals that identify another radio access system, detecting a channel utilization ratio above a threshold, and determining a current/historic data throughput.