A method and information processing system are provided for dynamically encoding a control channel for transmitting messages to a wireless device based on performance capability information associated with the wireless device. The method includes determining that a wireless device (104) has registered with a base station (116). A device profile (128) associated with the wireless device (116) is retrieved from a register (122). A set of performance capabilities associated with the wireless device is determined (408) in response to the retrieving. A coding type for a control channel for sending messages to the wireless device (104) is determined (410) based on the set of performance capabilities associated with the wireless device (104).