Multicast messaging within a wireless communication system

Methods and systems for sending multicast messages are disclosed. A multicast message is received to be transmitted to a plurality of access terminals at a radio access network (RAN), the received multicast message having a first format. The first format may correspond to a conventional multicast message format. The RAN determines whether the received multicast message requires special handling. If the RAN determines the received multicast message requires special handling, the radio access network converts the received multicast message from the first format into a second format. The RAN transmits the converted multicast message with the second format (e. g., a data over signaling (DOS) message) on acontrol channel to at least one of the plurality of access terminals. The access terminals receiving the converted multicast message interpret the message as a multicast message.