A power management system for a mobile unit wherein the base station detects the quality of the signals transmitted by the mobile unit. Based on this signal quality, the base station determines if the mobile unit should increase the transmission power level. If an increase in transmission power is indicated, the base station sends a signal to the mobile unit to cause the mobile unit to increase transmission power. However, to save battery power, the mobile unit only transmits at the increased power level for a limited amount of time, and then automatically returns to transmitting at the lower power level. Further, a slightly decreased high power level is established to allow the mobile unit to function when it is located away from the base station, yet not near the outer transmission boundary.