A wireless communications network includes a mobile station and base station communicating an indicator of an autonomous data rate supportable over a reverse wireless link between the mobile station and base station. The mobile station and base station also communicate a flag indicating whether autonomous is enabled for the mobile station. In response to the flag indicating that autonomous mode is enabled, data is communicated, over the reverse wireless link, at a data rate less than or equal to the autonomous data rate without the base station having to first schedule the mobile station.