A base station for use in a cellular radio communications network, the base station comprising: a receiver adapted to receive signals from a terminal via a Dedicated Physical Control Channel and a second control channel; a measuring unit adapted to measure a signal to interference ratio of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel; the base station characterised by comprising: an effective signal to interference ratio determining unit adapted to determine an effective signal to interference ratio on the basis of the measured signal to interference ratio of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel and an estimate of the signal to interference ratio of the second control channel derived from an amplitude relation of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel and the second control channel; a comparison unit adapted to compare the effective signal to interference ratio with a target signal to interference ratio; a power determination unit adapted to determine a power control command for controlling power usage of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel on the basis of the comparison; and a transmitter for sending a message to the terminal, the message including the power control command, wherein the power control command is usable by the terminal such that the Dedicated Physical Control Channel power operating point is maintained at a low level. a receiver adapted to receive signals from a terminal via a Dedicated Physical Control Channel and a second control channel; a measuring unit adapted to measure a signal to interference ratio of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel; the base station characterised by comprising: an effective signal to interference ratio determining unit adapted to determine an effective signal to interference ratio on the basis of the measured signal to interference ratio of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel and an estimate of the signal to interference ratio of the second control channel derived from an amplitude relation of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel and the second control channel; a comparison unit adapted to compare the effective signal to interference ratio with a target signal to interference ratio; a power determination unit adapted to determine a power control command for controlling power usage of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel on the basis of the comparison; and a transmitter for sending a message to the terminal, the message including the power control command, wherein the power control command is usable by the terminal such that the Dedicated Physical Control Channel power operating point is maintained at a low level. an effective signal to interference ratio determining unit adapted to determine an effective signal to interference ratio on the basis of the measured signal to interference ratio of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel and an estimate of the signal to interference ratio of the second control channel derived from an amplitude relation of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel and the second control channel; a comparison unit adapted to compare the effective signal to interference ratio with a target signal to interference ratio; a power determination unit adapted to determine a power control command for controlling power usage of the Dedicated Physical Control Channel on the basis of the comparison; and a transmitter for sending a message to the terminal, the message including the power control command, wherein the power control command is usable by the terminal such that the Dedicated Physical Control Channel power operating point is maintained at a low level.