A method for reassigning mobile stations a new phase within a channel is disclosed. In a communication system, a plurality of mobile stations attempt to communicate on a limited number of channels. The invention first uses a general allocation method to approximately evenly distribute the mobile stations on the available channels. After a mobile station begins active communication on the system, a second allocation method is used to change the phase of some mobile stations on a channel which has become heavily loaded. In addition, a message can also be sent to mobile stations assigned to but not yet actively communicating on the heavily loaded channel indicating that the mobile stations should change to a new channel.
