Abstract: Techniques for controlling discontinuous transmissions in a wireless communication system are described. A method and apparatus for transmitting data on an uplink includes tracking past performance of at least one of an uplink channel condition and uplink system resources. A prediction of a likelihood of a completed or successful data transmission is performed. A long preamble is transmitted with an uplink control channel when the prediction indicates a likelihood of completion of the data transmission. When past performance indicates an unlikelihood of completing the transmission of the data, then the discontinuous mode is maintained without data transmission.