Various embodiments include methods for adjusting timing advance values on a mobile communication device that includes receiving, on the mobile communication device, a timing advance adjustment value from a base station and determining whether the timing advance adjustment value exceeds an adjustment threshold. The mobile communication device may ignore the timing advance adjustment value in response to determining that the timing advance adjustment value exceeds the adjustment threshold, and may adjust a timing advance value stored on the mobile communication device by the timing advance adjustment value in response to determining that the timing advance adjustment value does not exceed the adjustment threshold.