CDMA transmitter device including bit rate control logic that dynamically adjusts bit rates allocated to new incoming calls and currently active calls based on the current power level of the transmitter device and a call priority for the currently active calls and the incoming calls. The bit rate control logic uses the current power level of the transmitter device and the call priority to allocate lower bit rates to lower priority calls and higher bit rates to higher priority calls to maintain operation of the transmitter device at or below a maximum operating power level.