A headset that communicates with a mobile device through a local radio frequency (RF) communication link to conduct a telephone call is described. The headset includes a local RF communication modem that receives downlink packets from the mobile device through the local RF communication link. The downlink packets were received by the mobile device through a wireless communication link. The headset includes an audio decoder that decodes the downlink packets into a downlink audio signal to be played back at the headset. The headset also includes an audio encoder that encodes an uplink audio signal produced by the headset into uplink packets. The local RF communication modem sends the uplink packets to the mobile device through the local RF communication link. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.