In one embodiment, a technique comprises monitoring data transfer over a radio frequency (RF) link between a first device and a second device in a mesh network where the second device is a descendent node and the first device is a parent node. The technique further transfers the data over a power link communication (PLC) when the RF link is inactive. The method also includes broadcasting, by the second device, RF link availability to at least a third device in the mesh network when the RF link with the first device is inactive where the third device has an active link with the second device and the third device is a descendent node of the second device. The method then includes communicating, between the second device and the third device, through the active RF link.