A radio base station transmits periodic load indications based on the measured reverse link load to a plurality of mobile stations transmitting on a reverse link channel. If the measure reverse link load is within a first predetermined range, the radio base stations transmits a load indication instructing mobile stations transmitting on the reverse link to change their transmission rate probabilistically. If the reverse link load is within second predetermined range outside the first predetermined range, the radio base station transmits a load indication instructing mobile stations transmitting on the reverse link to change their transmission rate deterministically.