A system is implemented on a wireless network for adjusting a forward link power control parameter based on forward link feedback. A wireless unit is in communication with several base stations during soft handoff, and provides feedback relating to forward link quality, e.g., forward link pilot signal strength or traffic channel frame error rate. The feedback is compared to a comparison or reference point (such as target frame error rate, or a maximum pilot signal strength in the active set) chosen for gauging the quality or nature of the feedback for power control purposes. Based on this comparison, a power control parameter of one or more of the base stations may be adjusted upwards or downward. The power control parameter may be a forward link reference transmit power level “Pref” used to control base station power transmission levels in the presence of power control bit errors.