Abstract: A system and method for switching between power control modes is implemented in a communication system having two or more power control modes for providing a power increase for a transmitted signal. The system and method determine whether performance of the communication system is within nominal bounds. If the performance of the communication system is within nominal bounds, a first mode of power control is selected for controlling transmitter power. If the performance of the communication system is not within the nominal bounds, a second mode of power control for controlling a transmitter is selected.