the present invention is a method and apparatus in a data processing system that includes a voice over internet protocol communication system for improving transmit and receive data paths . the communication system includes a digital signal processing unit . the digital signal processing unit includes a mandatory coder / decoder that does not include an internal packet loss concealment function , an internal voice activity detection function , an internal comfort noise generation function , or an internal discontinuous transmission generation function . the digital signal processing unit also includes an enhanced codec that includes any combination of the following modules all internal to the enhanced codec : internal packet loss concealment function , a voice activity detection function , a comfort noise generation function , and a discontinuous transmission generation function . the digital signal processing unit does not include a separate packet loss concealment module , a separate voice activity detection module , a separate comfort noise generation module , or a separate discontinuous transmission generation module . an input signal is received within the digital processing unit . a determination is made regarding whether the input signal includes voice data . if the input signal does include voice data , the input signal is processed utilizing the mandatory codec . if the input signal does not include voice data , the input signal is processed utilizing the enhanced codec .