System for providing stream based and packet based services

A method of providing both packet-based services and stream-based services in a CDMA network having at least one base station and a plurality of terminals, said method comprising:

• a) allocating a distinct channel for each stream-based service;
• b) allocating at least one shared forward link channel and at least one shared reverse link channel for a plurality of packet-based services such that more than one terminal can use the shared channels;
• c) allocating a packet data control broadcast channel for forward link control communications between said base station and said plurality of terminals;
• d) on the reverse link, whenever a terminal has packets ready for transmission, before transmitting said packets said terminal:
• I) determines whether the system is congested;
• and
• II) if not congested, transmitting a request to said base station.

A terminal for communicating with a telecommunications network using stream-based and packet based services comprising:

• a transceiver;
• a controller;
• memory for storing data and instructions for said controller;
• said controller adapted to store one set of spreading code sequences for accessing stream-based service channels and another set of spreading code sequences for accessing packet-based service channels.