Method and communication device for controlling access to a wireless access network

A wireless communication device configured to control access to a wireless Access Network (AN), the wireless communication device comprising:

• a non-transitory memory configured to store a Device Access Priority (DAP) class, wherein the DAP class is based on characteristics of the wireless communication device;
• a radio receiver configured to receive a first message from the AN indicating a first set of one or more allowed Network Access Priority (NAP) classes when the wireless communication device has data to send;
• and
• a processor configured to determine whether the stored DAP class is in the first set of one or more allowed NAP classes indicated by the first message received from the AN;
• wherein upon determining the stored DAP class is not in the first set of one or more allowed NAP classes, the device is configured to:
• refrain from initiating network access by the wireless communication device;
• and
• after a waiting period, repeat the receiving and determining steps with a second set of one or more allowed NAP classes indicated in a second message received from the AN that differs from the first set of one or more allowed NAP classes.

A wireless Access Network (AN) node configured to control access to the AN by a wireless communication device, wherein the AN node includes a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory, wherein when the processor executes computer program instructions stored in the memory, the processor causes the AN to:

• determine current traffic loading and congestion conditions for the AN;
• determine a set of one or more allowed Network Access Priority (NAP) classes based on the current traffic loading conditions, wherein the AN controls the number of access requests received by the AN by periodically changing the set of one or more allowed NAP classes based on the current network loading or congestion conditions;
• broadcast, utilizing a radio transmitter, an overhead message to the wireless communication device, the overhead message indicating the set of one or more allowed NAP classes;
• and
• receive an access request from the wireless communication device only when a Device Access Priority (DAP) class stored in the wireless communication device is in the set of one or more allowed NAP classes.