A network mute feature deployed in a wireless telecommunications system allows a mobile user to eliminate ambient environmental and wireless transmission noise. Upon activation of the network mute feature, a voice path interconnecting the mobile unit to a party served by the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is opened. A portion of the open voice path is subsequently interconnected to a noise generator so that the PSTN party hears unobtrusive background noise indicating that the mobile user is still "on the line" and can hear transmissions by the party. The PSTN party, however, cannot hear noises associated with mobile user's environment or wireless transmission while the network mute feature is activated. Advantageously, the network mute feature enhances the ability of mobile users to participate in calls in which the quality of transmission (e.g., a conference call) is important.