A User Equipment 210 (UE) determines 215 a maximum UL/DL duty cycle to utilize for a connection with a base station 202 based on a content of a UE capabilities request 212 sent by the base station, where the maximum UL/DL duty cycle is typically is less than a most restrictive, possible UL/DL duty cycle of the UE, yet allows the UE to remain SAR compliant. The UE may determine 215 the maximum UL/DL duty cycle further based on, e.g., requested frequency bands, operational UE transceivers, carrier components, UE power class, stored power data, etc. The UE communicates 218 the maximum UL/DL duty cycle for the connection to the base station, thereby resulting in more efficient downlink data delivery during the connection as well as increasing cell site coverage and overall system efficiency. The UE may store a global parameter whose value is indicative of the maximum UL/DL duty cycle.