In order to reduce the time delay when transitioning between different communication protocols used to communicate information via a cellular-telephone network, an electronic device (such as a cellular telephone) may only partially disable a software stack associated with a current communication protocol. In particular, after receiving an indicator that there is a message to be communicated using a second communication protocol while the electronic device is currently configured to communicate using a first communication protocol, the electronic device may disable a portion of a software stack associated with the first communication protocol and may enable a software stack associated with the second communication protocol. Then, the electronic device communicates the message using the second communication protocol. Next, the electronic device: may disable the software stack associated with the second communication protocol and may enable the portion of the software stack associated with the first communication protocol.