Methods of providing power overload control in a communication system having a least one base station serving one or more users of at least one cell are described which may avoid an overload condition in the system. In one aspect, a target signal-to-interference ratio (SIR.sub.target) may be controlled for inner loop power control implemented by the base station, so as to maintain the loading of the communication system below an overload condition. In another aspect, a target block error rate (BLER.sub.target) may be controlled for outer loop power control implemented by the base station, so as to maintain the loading of communication system below an overload condition.