A method and apparatus for No-TX mode for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and Node B that suspends the transmission of power control updates and associated signaling over dedicated uplink and downlink channels. Triggers and signals between the WTRU and Node B to activate and disable No-TX mode. A radio link is re-established to resume data transmission when No-TX mode is disabled, and data may also be transmitted during defined transmission opportunities while in No-TX mode.