Scheduling data transmissions in a wireless communications network

A network entity for a wireless communication system, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a first rate request message from a user equipment, wherein the first rate request message is a single reserved bit sent together with other uplink signaling information, and the single reserved bit has a value selected from a first value indicating that the user equipment requires an increased data rate and a second value indicating that a current rate of data transmission over the data channel is sufficient,
• a determiner configured to determine within a predetermined time period for issuing a rate grant message whether the rate grant message is to be issued for the user equipment based on network resources and based on the value of the single reserved bit, and
• an issuer configured to issue said rate grant message if there are adequate network resources and the single reserved bit has the first value,
• wherein at least one subsequent rate request message sent by the user equipment without waiting for the rate grant message or end of said predetermined time period for issuing a rate grant message is received during said predetermined time period is ignored, wherein the at least one subsequent rate request message is a repeat of the first rate request message.

A method, comprising:

• receiving in a network entity for a wireless communication system a first rate request message from a user equipment, wherein the first rate request message is a single reserved bit sent together with other uplink signaling information, and the single reserved bit has a value selected from a first value indicating that the user equipment requires an increased data rate and a second value indicating that a current rate of data transmission over the data channel is sufficient,
• determining, within a predetermined time period for issuing a rate grant message, whether the rate grant message is to be issued for the user equipment based on network resources and based on the value of the single reserved bit,
• issuing said rate grant message if there are adequate network resources and the single reserved bit has the first value, and
• ignoring at least one subsequent received rate request message that has been sent by the user equipment without waiting for the rate grant message or end of said predetermined time period for issuing a rate grant message, wherein the at least one subsequent rate request message is a repeat of the first rate request message.