A method and apparatus for sending a channel quality indication (CQI) via a shared channel while a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is in a Cell_FACH state without having a dedicated channel allocated for the WTRU are disclosed. A WTRU performs a measurement of at least one parameter and generates a CQI based on the measurement. The WTRU then transmits the CQI via a random access channel (RACH). The CQI may be transmitted using an RACH preamble. A plurality of signature sequences may be divided into a plurality of groups. The WTRU may select one group based on the CQI and randomly select a signature sequence among signature sequences in the selected group for transmitting the RACH preamble. The CQI may be appended to the RACH preamble. The CQI may be transmitted via a control part or a data part of the RACH message.