Abstract: A system and method of providing users of a mobile cellular telecommunication network, who subscribe to priority service, with priority access to voice or traffic channels during periods of congestion on these channels. The system provides priority to designated priority users for call origination, call termination, and handoff to congested cells. When the network is not congested, any channel is available for use by any user, whether a designated priority user or not. During periods of congestion, the system enables a service provider to designate whether a reserved bank of channels, a queue technique, or a combination of both is to be utilized to provide priority access and channel assignment (PACA). Call requests are positioned in a queue according to the priority level of the associated subscriber, and by time of arrival within each priority level.