Methods and apparatus for executing a client-based, over-the-top (OTT) application, the client-based OTT application for maintaining communications with a second communication device, comprising, in one embodiment, a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving user traffic, a memory for storing processor-executable instructions, and a processor, coupled to the transceiver and the memory, for executing the processor-executable instructions that cause the wireless communication device to establish a first control plane connection, establish a second control plane connection, establish a first data plane for transporting the user traffic, the first data plane connection relating to the first control plane connection, establish a second data plane connection for transporting the user traffic if at least one predetermined event has occurred, the second data plane connection related to the second control plane connection, and to transmit and receive the user traffic over the second data plane connection via the first transceiver.