The data transmission rate on the reverse link in a mobile communications system is controlled by determining an interference level at a base station due to signals from all mobile stations served by the base station, and determining a transmission energy level required for each mobile station. The interference level is compared with the transmission energy level to obtain a comparison result for each mobile station, and each mobile adjusts its data transmission rate based upon the comparison result, which is sent via a common channel on a forward link to each mobile station in a dedicated manner. Thereafter, packet data is transmitted on the reverse link in accordance with the adjusting so that data throughput can be maximized.