Patent ID: 8731597

Claim:
A method comprising: an access network engaging in a first communication session with a first access terminal on a given wireless link, wherein engaging in the first communication session comprises sending a first series of power control commands (PCCs) directed to the first access terminal on the given wireless link according to a first time schedule; the access network deciding to initiate a second communication session with a second access terminal on the given wireless link; in response to the deciding, the access network assigning a second time schedule for sending a second series of PCCs directed to the second access terminal on the given wireless link in parallel with the first series of PCCs directed to the first access terminal, wherein the second time schedule differs from the first time schedule; and the access network engaging in the second communication session with the second access terminal on the given wireless link, wherein engaging in the second communication session comprises sending the second series of PCCs on the given wireless link according to the second time schedule and in parallel with the first series of PCCs.