Abstract: Channel access for communicating a data packet over a multiple access communication network with a forward channel and a multiple access reverse channel which efficiently handles a mix of short message and long data transfer communication type traffic is provided by combined contention and reservation mode access to the multiple reverse channel. A forward channel transmission apparatus or base station broadcasts a forward channel control packet associated with a subsequent transmission window which channel control packet includes an indication of contention or reservation mode for the subsequent transmission window and an identifier identifying a device to be granted reservation mode access to the reverse channel.

Abstract: Dynamic access control for communicating a data packet over a multiple access communication network with a forward channel and a multiple access reverse channel which maintains utilization even when the arrival rate of packets for transmission exceeds the departure rate is provided by a broadcast dynamic access control parameter which regulates access to the multiple access reverse channel. A subscriber device wishing to transmit a data packet on the reverse channel receives the broadcast dynamic access control parameter from a base station on the network, generates an access control limit value and only attempts to transmit the data packet if the access control limit value satisfies the dynamic access control parameter. The dynamic access control parameter is updated by the base station based on a determined success rate and collision rate for transmissions on the reverse channel.