In various embodiments, a system and method for providing uplink (UL) power control for a wireless mobile station (MS) includes, after transmission of an unanswered bandwidth request by the MS, incrementally boosting an UL transmit power of one or more subsequent bandwidth requests by the MS to a boosted UL power level at which UL bandwidth is allocated to the MS by the BS; selectively reporting the boosted UL power level to the BS immediately after the UL transmit power has been boosted; and selectively controlling the boosted UL power level by the BS responsive to the boosted UL power level reported to the BS. A MS is configured to carry out the UL power control method and a BS is configured to generate MS UL power control commands based, at least in part, upon the UL power level reported to the BS.