Methods and apparatus are presented for acknowledging missed control channel messages. In a system wherein control channel messages can be used to send the transmission parameters of signals on a data traffic channel, the inability to decode the latest control channel message can cause a delay in system throughput. Functionality is added to the acknowledgment channel, which is already in place to acknowledge the receipt of data subpackets on the data traffic channel, so that acknowledgments of missed control channel messages can be conveyed. A pattern or multiplicity of acknowledgment signals can be used to request transmissions of control channel messages. An infrastructure element can be configured to read the acknowledgment signals as a request for a broadcast on the control channel.