Various embodiments are described to address the need for channel maintenance/channel quality signaling that can better utilize reverse link capacity and conserve battery life. Generally expressed, a remote unit (101) enters (403) a high-rate-channel-maintenance mode in which it transmits channel maintenance signaling. When a low-rate condition is met (405), the remote unit enters (407) a low-rate-channel-maintenance mode in which it transmits channel maintenance signaling at either a lower rate or a lower transmit power than when in the high-rate-channel-maintenance mode. Then when a high-rate condition is met (409), the remote unit reenters the high-rate-channel-maintenance mode.