A wireless data communication unit (700) shares a data communication resource with a plurality of other data communication units. The wireless data communication unit (700) receives channel status information from a wireless serving communication unit on an outbound channel (100) and transmits data to the wireless serving communication unit on an inbound channel. The wireless communication unit includes a processor (708) for monitoring channel status symbols inserted on the outbound channel, such that the processor (708) regulates time intervals between successive data transmissions (480) on the inbound channel dependent upon the monitored channel status symbols inserted on the outbound channel. A method of sharing a communication resource is also described.