A process and system for controlling selection of which MS is to receive the next packet data transmission on a forward channel and selection of which plural MCS is to be used for the packet data transmissions on the forward channel. A process for controlling selection of MCS method to be used by a BTS to transmit data packets over a forward shared channel to a MS stores information at the BTS, the information containing MCS methods which may be selected to transmit data packets over the forward shared channel to the MS; receiving from the MS at the BTS a quality indication of transmission of data packets over the forward channel to the MS; and selecting a MCS method from a plurality of MCS methods which may be used to transmit data packets on the forward channel dependent upon the received quality indication.