Abstract: The present invention relates to the reuse of a control channel in a distributed cellular radio communication system. At least one physical channel, the so called physical control channel, in the radio communication system is used for transferring logical control channels. According to the present invention the physical uplink control channel can be reused with respect to logical control channels comprising an access request. The physical downlink control channel can be reused with respect to logical control channels comprising a message that access is granted to a mobile station or a message that someone requests contact with a mobile station. According to the invention the physical uplink control channel and/or the physical downlink control channel is reused. This means that more connections per time unit may be established in the radio communication system.