The invention relates to retransmissions in wireless communication systems. It is proposed to reduce the retransmission delays by utilizing feedback associated with a lower protocol layer than the conventional feedback messages of the ARQ functionality. After sending a packet from a transmitter towards a receiver, the transmitter monitors the link for a low-level control signal from the receiver. The low-level control information can e.g. comprise power control commands or be related to link quality indicators. Based on this signal, it is decided whether a retransmission is to take place, e.g. at the transmitter or at an external control unit.