A technique is provided for use by a user terminal or mobile services switching center (MSC) for responding to a request to switch an on-going call from speech mode to multimedia mode within a wireless communication network conFig.d to automatically disconnect a call if a requested mode switch is not confirmed within a predetermined period of time specified by a call drop timer. In one example, the terminal or MSC activities an automatic response timer upon receipt of a request from a user to switch an on-going call from speech to multimedia, with the timer set shorter than the call drop timer. The user receiving the request is then prompted to accept or decline the request. If no response is received before expiration of the automatic response timer, the terminal or MSC automatically declines the request on behalf of the user so that the call drop timer does not expire.