Multiple applications sharing common resources are arbitrated such that failures resulting from unavailable resources can be avoided. Whenever an application (e.g., a data application) desires to perform an operation (e.g., PPP resynchronization) that requires the use of a shared resource (e.g., an RF receiver), a determination is made as to whether that resource is available. The operation may be delayed while the resource is unavailable. The application may be assigned the resource if it is available or becomes available and may then start the operation. The resource is locked while the operation is pending to avoid assignment to another application. The resource arbitration allows applications to complete their operations without encountering failures due to other applications taking over the resources.