Disclosed is a method of selectively skipping one or more listen windows during power saving (i.e., sleep mode) operation in a multi-mode radio handset capable of operating on a plurality of radio access networks (RANs). A multi-mode radio handset signals a base station to which it is currently in communication to request that one or more listen windows be skipped considering the delay and jitter requirements of the most time critical application currently running. The request includes data defining a different listen and sleep window sequence. The multi-mode radio handset receives an acknowledgment from the base station indicating that the request has been granted. The acknowledgement includes a start frame parameter that defines when the different listen and sleep window sequence will begin. Upon completion of the different listen and sleep window sequence, the multi-mode radio handset reverts back to the original alternating sequence of listen and sleep windows.