Described is a technology by which a relay is coupled (e.g., by a wire) to a network and (e.g., by a wireless link) to an endpoint. Incoming data packets directed towards the endpoint are processed by the relay according to an error correction scheme, such as one that replicates packets. The reprocessed packets, which in general are more robust against packet loss, are then sent to the endpoint. For outgoing data packets received from the endpoint, the relay reprocesses the outgoing packets based upon the error correction scheme, such as to remove redundant packets before transmitting them to the network over the wire. Also described are various error correction schemes, and various types of computing devices that may be used as relays. The relay may be built into the network infrastructure, and/or a directory service may be employed to automatically find a suitable relay node for an endpoint device.