After a maximum noise rise for a cell is set, a maximum noise rise for each mobile station is allocated within the cell. The actual noise rise from each mobile station within the cell is measured at a base station and signaled to a network. When the cell uses enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH), the contribution to noise rise of E-DCH signaling is determined and received signal code power (RSCP) at the base station is measured. The RSCP measurement is decoded to determine contributions from mobile stations within and outside the cell; contributions from mobile stations within the cell are calculated; and the network is notified of the measured noise rise. In addition a compensation value may be applied to compensate for temperature induced noise.