A system for controlling/conserving signal transmission power in a communications system is disclosed. The system generally includes a first unit having a transmitter and a receiver, a second unit having a transmitter and a receiver, a forward communications channel between the first unit transmitter and the second unit receiver, and a reverse communications channel between the second unit transmitter and the first unit receiver. In operation, the system determines the received signal power needs of the second unit receiver. It then generates a reverse channel explicit-power-request command based on the determination of the received signal power needs of the second unit receiver. The reverse channel explicit-power-request command represents an absolute power level at which the first unit transmitter should transmit signals over the forward communications channel. In general, this reverse channel explicit-power-request command communicates the absolute power level in a manner that is independent of the power level at which the first unit transmitter had previously been transmitting with. The system also generates a forward channel explicit-power-notification message based on a determination of the transmitted signal power from the first unit transmitter. The forward channel explicit-power-notification message represents an absolute power level at which the first unit transmitter is transmitting signals over the forward communications channel.