A code-division multiple access power control for paging channel power and initial traffic channel power dynamically determines optimum initial channel power in accordance with pilot signal strength of a pilot signal as received at a mobile station and current forward link loading of the desired sector. The optimum initial paging channel power and initial traffic channel power may be determined either at a base station or a mobile switching center of the mobile communication system. A paging signal or call is transmitted from the base station to the mobile station over a paging channel and a traffic channel at the optimum paging channel and initial traffic channel power.