Embodiments are directed to media forwarding for a group communication session within a wireless communications system. A server receives a frame for a given timeslot from each of a first plurality of access terminals participating in the group communication session, each of the received frames having an associated data rate. The server selects at least one and less than all of the received frames based at least in part on the associated data rates of each of the received frames. The server sends the selected at least one frame to a second plurality of access terminals participating in the group communication session.