A system and method are provided for efficient push-to-talk (PTT) communications in a cellular network of wireless telephones. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a PTT session initiation in a cellular wireless telephone network; identifying a plurality of common PTT session mobile stations in close proximity as a group; assigning a shared forward link channel to the group; and transmitting a PTT statement on the shared channel via the forward link. The shared channel can be a shared traffic channel or a common channel, such as a broadcast channel, forward common control channel, or paging channel. The shared forward link channel may be in either a circuit-switched or IP packet data system. Further, the shared forward link channel, in addition to including a shared forward fundamental channel, may also include a shared forward supplemental channel.