A network device (e.g., an evolved Node B (eNB), user equipment (UE) or the like) can operate to reduce an interruption time during a fallback operation resulting from a communication link blockage condition (e.g., a human blockage or other natural/physical wireless blockage). The network device includes a network convergence protocol (NCP) layer that enables communication between other network devices of different radio access technologies (RATs) in a heterogeneous network.