Methods for controlling data rate allocations to data packet users transmitting packet data over a CDMA cellular communication network are defined which comprises the steps of: evaluating traffic channels and radio capacity allocated for packet data services within the network to determine an available resource for a packet data transmission; employing a rate control algorithm to determine a data rate allocation for the packet data transmission; and limiting the transmit power of a transmitter to provide the determined data rate allocation for the packet data transmission. The methods include a rate control algorithm which determines data rate allocation using a transmission power budget technique and a rate control algorithm which determines data rate allocation using a current system load technique.