A quality of service profile for a mobile communication subscriber unit is determined and includes one or more mobile-specific desired quality of service parameters. Actual values for the service parameter(s) is(are) determined and fed back to a link quality controller to determine whether they are in an acceptable range or relationship with corresponding actual quality of service parameter values. A modulation and/or coding scheme for transmitting the information over the radio link is selected or adjusted based on whether the desired and actual quality of service parameters are in an acceptable range or acceptable relationship. A combined “desired” quality of service parameter using the first and second quality of service parameters (or more if desired) may be determined. A combined “actual” quality of service parameter using first and second actual quality service parameter values is determined. Those combined desired and actual quality of service parameters are compared to determine whether they are in an acceptable range or relationship. The modulation or coding scheme (or both) is (are) selected or adjusted based thereon.