Method and system for fast access to an uplink channel in a mobile communications network

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention comprises a method and system for obtaining fast access to a multiplexed uplink channel in a mobile telecommunications network.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of mobile stations are assigned to and otherwise camp onto a first uplink channel.
A first mobile station assigned to the first uplink channel and needing to send real time information transmits data in a first uplink transmission block.
Upon receiving the data from the first mobile station, the system reassigns other mobile stations that are involved in communication of real time information to one or more other uplink channels during the next downlink block.
After the other mobile stations have been assigned to the other uplink channels and, optionally, after a second block during which the first mobile station refrains from sending additional real time information, the first mobile station begins transmitting real time information in the next uplink transmission block and subsequent uplink transmission blocks on the first uplink channel as necessary.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a mobile telecommunications system includes a packet data network and a radio network.
The packet data network includes a packet data support node for routing data communications to and receiving data communications from a plurality of mobile stations located in an area served by the packet data support node.
The radio network serves to transmit data packets between the mobile stations and the packet data support node and operates to assign to a plurality of mobile stations a first radio resource associated with a first uplink channel.
The radio network further operates to detect a transmission of real time information from a first mobile station in a first uplink transmission block on the first radio resource and, in response to the detected transmission, to assign other mobile stations that are assigned to the first radio resource and are involved in the communication of real time information, to a second radio resource associated with a second uplink channel