diff --git a/src/cnetz/cnetz.c b/src/cnetz/cnetz.c
index 990d48d..5ef6873 100644
--- a/src/cnetz/cnetz.c
+++ b/src/cnetz/cnetz.c
@@ -181,6 +181,26 @@ double cnetz_kanal2freq(int kanal, int unterband)
 	return freq * 1e6;
 }
 
+/* convert power level to P-bits by selecting next higher level */
+static uint8_t cnetz_power2bits(int power)
+{
+	switch (power) {
+	case 1:
+		return 3;
+	case 2:
+	case 3:
+		return 2;
+	case 4:
+	case 5:
+		return 1;
+	case 6:
+	case 7:
+	case 8:
+	default:
+		return 0;
+	}
+}
+
 const char *cnetz_state_name(enum cnetz_state state)
 {
 	static char invalid[16];
@@ -941,7 +961,7 @@ const telegramm_t *cnetz_transmit_telegramm_rufblock(cnetz_t *cnetz)
 	memset(&telegramm, 0, sizeof(telegramm));
 
 	telegramm.opcode = OPCODE_LR_R;
-	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz->ms_power;
+	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz_power2bits(cnetz->ms_power);
 	telegramm.bedingte_genauigkeit_der_fufst = si.genauigkeit;
 	telegramm.zeitschlitz_nr = cnetz->sched_ts;
 	telegramm.grenzwert_fuer_einbuchen_und_umbuchen = si.grenz_einbuchen;
@@ -1082,7 +1102,7 @@ const telegramm_t *cnetz_transmit_telegramm_meldeblock(cnetz_t *cnetz)
 
 	memset(&telegramm, 0, sizeof(telegramm));
 	telegramm.opcode = OPCODE_MLR_M;
-	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz->ms_power;
+	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz_power2bits(cnetz->ms_power);
 	telegramm.ogk_verkehrsanteil = 0; /* must be 0 or phone might not respond to messages in different slot */
 	telegramm.teilnehmergruppensperre = si.teilnehmergruppensperre;
 	telegramm.anzahl_gesperrter_teilnehmergruppen = si.anzahl_gesperrter_teilnehmergruppen;
@@ -1270,8 +1290,8 @@ const telegramm_t *cnetz_transmit_telegramm_spk_k(cnetz_t *cnetz)
 	if (!trans)
 		return &telegramm;
 
-	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz->ms_power;
-	telegramm.sendeleistungsanpassung = 1;
+	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz_power2bits(cnetz->ms_power);
+	telegramm.sendeleistungsanpassung = (cnetz->ms_power < 8) ? 1 : 0;
 	telegramm.entfernung = si.entfernung;
 	telegramm.fuz_nationalitaet = si.fuz_nat;
 	telegramm.fuz_fuvst_nr = si.fuz_fuvst;
@@ -1600,8 +1620,8 @@ const telegramm_t *cnetz_transmit_telegramm_spk_v(cnetz_t *cnetz)
 		meter = (now - trans->call_start) / (double)cnetz->metering + 1;
 	}
 
-	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz->ms_power;
-	telegramm.sendeleistungsanpassung = 1;
+	telegramm.max_sendeleistung = cnetz_power2bits(cnetz->ms_power);
+	telegramm.sendeleistungsanpassung = (cnetz->ms_power < 8) ? 1 : 0;
 	telegramm.ankuendigung_gespraechsende = 0;
 	telegramm.gebuehren_stand = meter;
 	telegramm.fuz_nationalitaet = si.fuz_nat;
diff --git a/src/cnetz/main.c b/src/cnetz/main.c
index 518151a..265e433 100644
--- a/src/cnetz/main.c
+++ b/src/cnetz/main.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int measure_speed = 0;
 double clock_speed[2] = { 0.0, 0.0 };
 int set_clock_speed = 0;
 const char *flip_polarity = "auto";
-int ms_power = 0; /* 0..3 */
+int ms_power = 6; /* 1..8 */
 int warteschlange = 1;
 int challenge_valid;
 uint64_t challenge;
@@ -97,8 +97,9 @@ void print_help(const char *arg0)
 	printf("        (default = %s)\n", flip_polarity);
 	printf("	Note: This has no effect with SDR.\n");
 	printf(" -P --ms-power <power level>\n");
-	printf("        Give power level of the mobile station 0..3. (default = '%d')\n", ms_power);
-	printf("	0 = 50-125 mW;  1 = 0.5-1 W;  2 = 4-8 W;  3 = 10-20 W\n");
+	printf("        Give power level of the mobile station: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 (default = '%d')\n", ms_power);
+	printf("	1 = 7.5-20 W; 2 = 4-8 W; 4 = 0.5-1 W; 6 = 50-125 mW; 8 = 2-10 mW\n");
+	printf("	Power level 8 starts with level 6 and is then reduced on SpK.\n");
 	printf(" -A --authentication <challenge>\n");
 	printf("        Enable authorization flag on the base station and use given challenge\n");
 	printf("        as autorization random. Depending on the key inside the card you will\n");
@@ -307,7 +308,11 @@ static int handle_options(int short_option, int argi, char **argv)
 		}
 		break;
 	case 'P':
-		ms_power = atoi_limit(argv[argi], 0, 3);
+		ms_power = atoi_limit(argv[argi], 0, 9);
+		if (ms_power < 1 || ms_power == 3 || ms_power == 5 || ms_power == 7 || ms_power > 8) {
+			fprintf(stderr, "Given power level '%s' is illegal, use '-h' for help!\n", argv[argi]);
+			return -EINVAL;
+		}
 		break;
 	case 'A':
 		authentifikationsbit = 1;