Transmitting keep-alive packets on behalf of a mobile communications device within a wireless communications system

In an embodiment, a mobile communications device (MCD) is positioned within an internal network that is separated from an external network by network address translation (NAT) and/or a firewall. The MCD establishes settings with the NAT and/or firewall by which the MCD can be contacted through from the external network. The settings are configured to be disabled by the NAT and/or firewall after a threshold period of traffic inactivity. An application server receives information associated with the settings, and instructs an assisting application server (AAS) within the internal network to transmit keep-alive packets on behalf of the MCD so as to maintain the settings for the MCD. The AAS receives the instructions from the application server, and instructs an assisting wireless communications device (WCD) within the internal network to transmit keep-alive packets on behalf of the MCD. The WCD then transmits the keep-alive packets in accordance with the instructions.