A UE of a spread spectrum wireless telecommunications system includes a network interface unit which receives multiple path energies of a wireless signal. The UE includes a rake receiver in communication with the network interface unit. The UE includes an equalizer in communication with the network interface unit, either the rake receiver or the equalizer processes the signal based on a predetermined criteria. A method of maintaining performance of a user equipment (UE) in a spread spectrum wireless telecommunications system includes the steps of receiving multiple path energies of a wireless signal at a network interface unit of the UE. There is the step of processing the signal with either a rake receiver of the UE in communication with the network interface unit or an equalizer of the UE in communication with the network interface unit based on a predetermined criteria.