Abstract: A method of scheduling wireless packet data traffic on a downlink packet data channel takes advantage of early decoding opportunities to decode the channel feedback reports before receipt of the mandated Lth repetition. The early-decoded channel feedback reports are promptly used in making scheduling decisions. Mobile stations are required to repeat transmissions of channel quality reports at least L times. The base station receives channel quality information report CFN from a first mobile station one or more times, but less than L times; and, prior to reception of the Lth repetition of CFN, successfully decodes CFN to form a first decoded report. Packet data transmissions on the downlink packet data traffic channel are scheduled based on CFN. A corresponding apparatus is also described.