A method of operating a radio access network (24) facilitates prioritization of up link layer 3 (L3) signaling. The method comprises making a prediction of transmission of an up link layer three (L3) message from a wireless terminal (30) to a node (28) of the radio access network. The method further comprises generating, for transmission on a down link from the node to the wireless terminal (30), an up link grant message (60) which, in accordance with the prediction, prioritizes a predicted L3 message of the wireless terminal (30) relative to messages of others of plural wireless terminals operating in the network. The method also comprises transmitting the up link grant message to the wireless terminal.