A method and system are provided for increasing channel usage efficiency of
data transmissions in a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication
system by assigning more than one user wireless communication device to a
single data channel. A base station is arranged to communicate CDMA data
signals with a plurality of wireless communication devices in the form of
data packets. A wireless communication device generates a request for
assignment of an identification key code as part of a call initiation
process. The base station then assigns an identification key code to the
requesting wireless communication device which is transmitted in a header
of each data packet. The base station also sets a level of transmission
power for the wireless communication devices as a function of the number
of wireless communication devices assigned to the data channel and the
available bandwidth of the channel. Either a unique key code can be
assigned, or a common key code allowing a selected grouping of users to
receive broadcast data packets. The present invention is also applicable
to the reverse link.
