A radio receiver adapted to alternatively receive data over a communication channel in a first mode and a second mode. The second mode facilitates reception of data at higher data rates than the first mode. The radio receiver comprises a signal-processing unit and a control unit. The signal processing unit is adapted to determine a quality condition of the communication channel. The control unit is adapted to determine, based on the quality condition, whether the communication channel facilitates operation in the second mode and assess at least one configuration condition, one of the at least one configuration condition being that the communication channel is determined to facilitate operation in the second mode. The control unit is further adapted to configure the radio receiver to operate in the second mode when all of at least one configuration condition are fulfilled or to operate in the first mode otherwise. A method for controlling the radio receiver is also disclosed.