The invention is directed to the optimization of power to increase a coverage area between a mobile device and the wireless communications network. Once it is determined that coverage is to be increased, a scheduling request is communicated to an access component (e.g., base station, eNodeB). The access component then sends a scheduling grant to the mobile device indicating that coverage will be increased. The determination to increase coverage is based on a total time delay of a packet sent from one device to another device, and a quality of the current voice or data session.