A method and system for monitoring data rate requests (DRRs) transmitted from an access terminal (AT) to an access network (AN). Each DRR includes a parameter indicating whether it is a null or non-null DRR. Upon the AT transitioning to a null-DRR state, the AT and AN determine an average parameter of a given number of DRRs and compare the average to a threshold. The AT selects a time duration based on the average and starts a timer. When the timer counts to the selected duration, the AT transitions from a mode in which the AT transmits data channel traffic and other traffic to a mode in which the AT prevents transmission of data channel traffic but allows transmission of other traffic. The AN compares the average to another threshold and determines whether it should transmit forward-link traffic channel data to the AT at a null or non-null data rate.