System and method of radio-awareness of mobile device for sending server-side control signals using a wireless network optimized transport protocol are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of sending a message over an alternate channel to a mobile device in the presence of an open TCP connection with a mobile device, including sending the message over the alternate channel to the mobile device, without utilizing the open TCP connection, responsive to determining that a timing criteria has been met. The alternate channel utilized need not cause a radio of the mobile device to switch on.