Abstract: A method and apparatus in a radio communication system (100, 101) provides simulcast control channels for a coverage area (500), and message channels transmitted in coverage zones (502) within the coverage area (500) on a time-division multiplex basis (FIG. 4). A first modulation technique generates (814, 816, 818) each of the message channels at a first average output power substantially less than a peak output power of a transmitter (202). A second modulation technique generates (806, 808, 810) each of the control channels at a second average output power approximately equal to the peak output power of the transmitter (202), thereby increasing usable coverage distance from the transmitter (202) for the control channel compared to the message channel. The control channels are allocated (FIG. 5) to the coverage zones (502) in a staggered geographic pattern such that reception of the control channels is maintained substantially throughout the coverage area (500).