Asymmetric frequency allocation for packet channels in a wireless network. Asymmetric radio spectrum allocation along with multiple duplex carrier types within a spectrum allocated in uplink and downlink blocks of frequencies provides greater capacity for downlink traffic. Each uplink block of frequencies has multiple associated downlink blocks of frequencies. When the invention is employed for packet channel operations in a TDMA-based network, the base station system can assign timeslots to the mobile station on an asymmetric carrier. The base station system also assigns a flag value to the mobile station for use in packet channel operations. In the case of GSM, the flag is an uplink state flag.