Tfc selection in the uplink

In a mobile communications system comprising a network and at least one mobile station, a method for selecting a transport format combination TFC to be used for communication from the mobile station to the network, over a channel of variable quality, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) defining a set of possible transport format combinations;
• b) calculating a channel quality requirement for the effective use of each transport format combination;
• c) indicating the transport format combinations and the channel quality requirements to the mobile station;
• d) calculating an existing quality of the channel of variable quality;
• and
• e) indicating the existing quality of the channel of variable quality to the mobile station;
• and, in the mobile station;
• f) storing the transport format combinations and relative channel quality requirements;
• g) receiving the indication of existing channel quality;
• h) selecting one of the transport format combinations having a channel quality requirement no greater than the existing channel quality, and
• i) informing the network of the selected transport combination, characterized in that the indication of the existing quality of the channel of variable quality is communicated to the mobile station by inband signaling, whereby the indication of the existing quality of the channel of variable quality is included in every downlink radio packet, in data locations normally assigned for carrying user information.