A method for wireless communication by a first user equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a second UE, a codec mode request (CMR) for a new bit rate. The method also includes transmitting, to a network device, a recommended bit rate (RBR) query in response to the new bit rate exceeding a current bit rate. The method still further includes communicating with the second UE using the new bit rate or the current bit rate. A method of wireless communication by a network device includes transmitting, to an originating UE, an RBR for a new bit rate. The method also includes receiving, from a terminating UE, an RBR query in response to the new bit rate exceeding a current bit rate. The method further includes transmitting, to the terminating UE, a response to the RBR query.