A wireless communication system is provided that includes a network and a plurality of access terminals. The plurality of access terminals includes a first group of access terminals configured to receive control information at a first data rate and send a response to the received control information, as well as a second group of access terminals configured to receive the control information at a second data rate and send a response to the received control information. The second data rate is higher than the first data rate. The network is configured to send the control information via a control channel at the first data rate and the second data rate, receive responses from the access terminals, and establish a traffic channel with at least one of the access terminals based on the control information and associated response from at least one of the access terminals.