A method includes: receiving a first speech frame; identifying a first codec mode based at least in part on a Codec Mode Command (CMC) comprising the first speech frame; identifying a second codec mode based at least in part on a downlink (DL) Codec Mode Indication (DCMI) comprising the first speech frame; determining, based at least in part on a current uplink (UL) codec mode, to apply one of the first codec mode, the second codec mode, and a third codec mode having a higher bit rate than the first codec mode; and applying one of the first codec mode, the second codec mode, and the third codec mode. Apply the first codec mode when the RxLev and RXQual are determined not to exceed a predetermined threshold, and applying second or third codec modes otherwise.