A wireless system has a high rate data channel for time multiplexed communications to multiple mobile stations (MSs). Control channels include a forward link common power control channel and reverse link feedback channels for pilot, forward channel quality, and data acknowledgements from each MS. An MS can have an active state for data communications, for which these control channels are used at the full (time slot) rate, or a control hold state, in which acknowledgements are not needed and the others of these control channels can be shared among a plurality of MSs in the control hold state and each using a reduced rate such as ½, ¼, or ⅛ of the full rate. The arrangement can support an increased number of active MSs, facilitating an increased total throughput on the high rate data channel, without increasing system resources for the control channels.