A portable terminal includes an apparatus for controlling transmission power. The apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a first maximum transmission power corresponding to the maximum power that can be transmitted when intensity of reception signal is more than a predefined reference value and a second maximum transmission power corresponding to the maximum power that can be transmitted when intensity of the reception signal is less than the reference value. A controller can transmit a call connection request signal with the first maximum transmission power or with the second maximum transmission power depending on intensity of the reception signal when user tries a call connection. A power amplifier module (PAM) can amplify the call connection request signal according to the control of the controller.