A method and apparatus for controlling uplink signal power in a distributed antenna system 10 having a master unit 22 and a plurality of remote units 14 and coupled with a base station 12 includes monitoring a noise condition of the distributed antenna system. The invention dynamically adjusts an uplink gain within the distributed antenna system 10 that is applied to uplink signals to a base station12, based on the monitored noise condition. Monitoring the noise condition in the distributed antenna system 10 includes monitoring one or more remote units 14 of the plurality of remote units and determining if the remote unit is active status or mute status and then. The uplink gain is increased in response to a decrease in the number of remote units that are active status and decreased in response to an increase in the number of remote units that are active status.
