Abstract: A method of generating a first signal (115) in a radiotelephone (101) representing the detection of speech on a second signal having background noise, a magnitude, a zero crossing rate and divided in time by frames having a predetermined time period. In absence of speech, the method characterizes the background noise (209) and computes background noise thresholds (211). The method computes an average of the magnitude of the second signal and a zero crossing rate of the second signal for a given frame (215). Then, compares said average of the magnitude (217) and said zero crossing rate (221) of the second signal to said background noise threshold. Upon one of said average of the magnitude and said zero crossing rate consecutively exceeding said background noise thresholds for a first predetermined number of frames, the transceiver(107) is turned on.