A forward link (FL) RLP and a reverse link (RL) RLP that are different in design are used for data transmission on the forward and reverse links, respectively. The asymmetric RLP designs may be quantified by, e.g., different feedback mechanisms and/or different data transmission mechanisms used for these RLPs. The FL RLP may utilize a negative acknowledgment (NAK)-based feedback mechanism whereas the RL RLP may utilize an acknowledgment (ACK)-based feedback mechanism. The NAK-based FL RLP may transmit each RLP frame once in sequential order and retransmit RLP frames out of sequence when not received correctly. The ACK-based RL RLP may transmit RLP frames in sequential order, one frame at a time until the frame is received correctly or the maximum number of transmissions have been attempted. Timers with adaptive values computed based on actual traffic conditions may be used to facilitate data transmission by the NAK-based FL RLP.