Access terminals are adapted to facilitate discontinuous transmission (DTX). According to one example, an access terminal can employ a short timescale DTX mode and a long timescale DTX mode independent of one another. The access terminal can determine whether a first set of predetermined factors are present. When the first set of factors are determined to be present, the access terminal may enable a short timescale DTX mode, independent of whether a long timescale DTX mode is enabled or not. A determination may also be made whether a second set of predetermined factors are present. When the second set of predetermined factors are determined to be present, the access terminal may enable a long timescale DTX mode, independent of whether the short timescale DTX mode is enabled or not. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.