A gain control system for a gain stage of a wireless communication system includes a gain control module and a mode selection module. The gain control module is operable in automatic gain control (AGC) and manual gain control (MGC) modes. The mode selection module checks the presence of first user-data in the first sub-frame based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value and/or a decibel amplitude level relative to full scale (dBFS) value, the presence of second user-data in a second sub-frame subsequent to the first sub-frame based on an advance information, calculates an estimated signal power level, and configures the gain control module in one of the AGC and MGC modes. Based on the mode, the gain control module provides a gain value to the gain stage.