Method and apparatus for controlling traffic congestion in a wireless communication network

A method for controlling traffic congestion in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• determining that the traffic congestion in the wireless communication network is above a predetermined threshold value;
• identifying a predefined list of critical network nodes in the wireless communication network, wherein the identification of the predefined list is based on the determination of the traffic congestion;
• and
• applying higher priority during congestion control to the predefined list of critical network nodes as compared to other network nodes of the wireless communication network.

A network node, comprising:

• a transceiver,
• a processing unit, coupled to the transceiver, for
• determining that traffic congestion at a plurality of geographical locations in a wireless communication network is above a predetermined threshold value;
• identifying at least one geographical location of the plurality of geographical locations, wherein the identification of the at least one geographical location is based on the determination of the traffic congestion in the plurality of geographical locations;
• selecting at least one network node of a plurality of network nodes located in proximity of the identified geographical location;
• and
• assigning a first level of priority during congestion control to the selected network node.

A network node, comprising:

• a transceiver,
• a processing unit, coupled to the transceiver, for
• determining that traffic congestion in a wireless communication network is above a predetermined threshold value;
• identifying a predefined list of critical network nodes in the wireless communication network, wherein the identification of the predefined list is based on the determination of the traffic congestion;
• and
• applying higher priority during congestion control to the predefined list of critical network nodes as compared to other network nodes of the wireless communication network.