System and method for pausing an ongoing transmission in a communication system

A method for pausing a transmitting radio in a communication system comprising:

• determining, at a first radio, that a message is to be sent to a second radio;
• identifying that a forward channel used for transmitting communications in the communication system is busy;
• determining a period of time required to transmit the message;
• transmitting a request to pause signal on a reverse channel, the request to pause signal including information indicating the period of time required to transmit the message;
• and
• transmitting the message.

A communication system comprising:

• a plurality of radios, the plurality of radios including:
• a transmitting radio that transmits a communication on a forward channel of the communication system while listening to a reverse channel;
• and
• a first radio configured to determine that a message is to be sent to a second radio;
• identify that the forward channel is being used by the transmitting radio busy;
• determine a period of time required to transmit the message;
• and transmit a request to pause signal on the reverse channel, the request to pause signal including information indicating the period of time required to transmit the message,
• wherein upon receiving the request to pause signal on the reverse channel from the first radio, the transmitting radio ceases transmission of the communication on the forward channel for the period of time indicated in the request to pause signal.