The present invention relates to a node and a method for allocation of transmission rates to a mobile terminal for sending packet data over an air interface in a radio telecommunications network by sending messages to the mobile terminal using at least a first radio channel. The invention comprises: providing at least a first grant queue for queuing messages to mobile terminals, the messages indicating allocated transmission rates to be sent over the at least first radio channel; receiving a rate request from a mobile terminal; allocating a transmission rate to the mobile terminal in dependence of the current air interface interference and the assigned transmission rates in the grant queue; and queuing a message, to be sent to the mobile terminal, indicating the allocated transmission rate in the grant queue.