Adaptive access channel overload control

A device for use in a communication network, the communication network having an access channel, the device comprising:

• a memory, the memory storing access class (“AC”) barring parameters, the AC barring parameters providing rules to determine whether to transmit an access message on the access channel;
• a processor, the processor:
• determining whether the access channel is in an overload condition, the overload condition being based at least in part on access channel characteristics indicating whether a user device has been able to establish a communication connection;
• and
• a transmitter, the transmitter transmitting a value of at least one AC barring parameter in response to determining whether the access channel is in the overload condition.

A method of adaptively controlling access channel overload in a communication network, the method comprising:

• determining whether an access channel is in an overload condition;
• determining a first value of at least one access class (“AC”) barring parameter in response to determining whether the access channel is in the overload condition;
• transmitting an update message, the update message including the determined first value of at least one AC barring parameter, the at least one AC barring parameter providing at least one rule to determine whether to transmit an access message on the access channel;
• and
• monitoring whether the access channel continues to be in the overload condition after transmitting the update message.