Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate signaling and detecting discontinuous transmission (DTX) in a wireless communication environment. A DTX indicator and Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) feedback can be multiplexed within a common uplink control channel subframe and transmitted to a base station when the access terminal is operating in DTX mode for an Acknowledgement Channel. Further, when operating in non-DTX mode, the access terminal can multiplex an ACK indicator or a NAK indicator with the CQI feedback within a common uplink control channel subframe, which can thereafter be transferred to the base station. Accordingly, the base station can detect DTX operation or non-DTX operation of the access terminal. For example, reference signal symbols can carry one of the DTX indicator, the ACK indicator, or the NAK indicator. Pursuant to another example, the CQI feedback and the DTX indicator can be combined and carried jointly by non-reference signal symbols.