Control of the output power of a mobile radio

A base station in a cellular radio system transmits a signal including a component which designates a power level and a mobile station receives the signal from the base station and sets its transmitter output power to the level designated. A determination is made in the mobile station as to whether or not the field level of the received signal from the base station is equal to or higher than a predetermined field level. The output power of the mobile station is decreased from the designated power level by a predetermined value when the detected field level of the received signal is equal to or higher than the predetermined field level, thereby saving battery power. The power level is not reduced of the mobile is transmitting a control signal, and is only reduced if the presently designated level is the maximum power level. … …