Method and apparatus for managing packet data resources

A method for allocating transmission resources in a base station (22a,22b) comprising determining a largest supportable packet size for a highest priority user based at least partially on a combination of available modulation types, a total number of codes available for packet transmission, a total amount of available transmission power available for packet transmission, and frame durations supported by a base station, wherein the determination comprises: - determining the total amount of transmission power available for packet transmission; - determining the total number of codes available for packet transmission, - determining a channel rate based on a minimal number of codes needed to transmit the supportable packet size; identifying the highest priority user from a plurality of users by determining an ideal channel rate for each of the plurality of users; the method comprising: - identifying a second highest priority user; - allocating transmission power and codes to the second highest priority user, wherein the transmission power allocated to the second highest priority user does not exceed the total transmission power minus the transmission power allocated to the highest priority user and wherein the number of codes allocated to the second highest priority user do not exceed the total number of codes minus the codes allocated to the highest priority user.