A network controller or base station (502), allocates resources and indicates a minimum priority level below which, mobile stations may not transmit data via messaging (503). Messaging (503) may be a scheduling message in some embodiments. The network controller or base station (502) also communicates a data timer setting for timing sub-minimum priority data via messaging (505). Messaging (505) may be a control message in some embodiments. The mobile station (501) responds by setting a data timer (507) and holding data with a priority below the specified minimum. Before the timer times out, the mobile station (501) may transmit data on granted resources via (509) provided its priority level is above the specified minimum. After timer expiration, the mobile station (501) may transmit its low priority data, or combinations of high and low priority data (511).