Method and system for determining whether to discontinue transmission of a reverse link signal

A method for a mobile station, said method comprising:

• said mobile station receiving a forward link signal from a radio access network (RAN) and transmitting a reverse link signal to said RAN;
• said mobile station detecting a reception failure of said forward link signal, said reception failure occurring at a first time;
• said mobile station determining whether said RAN was transmitting said forward link signal at a maximum transmit power level at said first time;
• if said RAN was transmitting at said maximum transmit power level at said first time, said mobile station discontinuing transmission of said reverse link signal;
• if said RAN was transmitting at less than said maximum transmit power level at said first time, said mobile station defining a test period that is sufficient to allow said RAN to increase its transmit power to said maximum transmit power level;
• said mobile station determining whether said reception failure continues throughout said test period;
• and
• if said reception failure continues throughout said test period, said mobile station discontinuing transmission of said reverse link signal.