A system comprising: an access network element of an access network that is configured to communicate with a plurality of devices (110; 111) over an air interface, the access network element comprising: a pattern database configured to store a Machine-Type Communications reservation pattern that defines at least one MTC-On interval where MTC is allowed, and defines at least one MTC-Off interval where MTC is prohibited; and a scheduling mechanism configured to identify the MTC reservation pattern from the pattern database; during an MTC-On interval of the MTC reservation pattern, the scheduling mechanism is configured to receive preambles for random access procedures from MTC devices, and to perform the random access procedures for the MTC devices in response to the preambles; the scheduling mechanism is configured to detect a transition from the MTC-On interval to a next MTC-Off interval in the MTC reservation pattern, and to determine whether the random access procedures for the MTC devices will complete before the transition; the scheduling mechanism, responsive to a determination that the random access procedures for the MTC devices will not complete before the transition, is configured to initiate modification of the MTC reservation pattern, the system is characterized in that the access network element further comprises a pattern manager; and the scheduling mechanism is configured to determine a time difference between receipt of a preamble for a random access procedure and the transition from the MTC-On interval to the next MTC-Off interval, to send a first message to the pattern manager requesting extension of the MTC-On interval when the time difference is greater than a threshold, and to receive a first modified MTC reservation pattern from the pattern manager where the MTC-On interval is extended into the next MTC-Off interval. a pattern database configured to store a Machine-Type Communications reservation pattern that defines at least one MTC-On interval where MTC is allowed, and defines at least one MTC-Off interval where MTC is prohibited; and a scheduling mechanism configured to identify the MTC reservation pattern from the pattern database; during an MTC-On interval of the MTC reservation pattern, the scheduling mechanism is configured to receive preambles for random access procedures from MTC devices, and to perform the random access procedures for the MTC devices in response to the preambles; the scheduling mechanism is configured to detect a transition from the MTC-On interval to a next MTC-Off interval in the MTC reservation pattern, and to determine whether the random access procedures for the MTC devices will complete before the transition; the scheduling mechanism, responsive to a determination that the random access procedures for the MTC devices will not complete before the transition, is configured to initiate modification of the MTC reservation pattern, the system is characterized in that the access network element further comprises a pattern manager; and the scheduling mechanism is configured to determine a time difference between receipt of a preamble for a random access procedure and the transition from the MTC-On interval to the next MTC-Off interval, to send a first message to the pattern manager requesting extension of the MTC-On interval when the time difference is greater than a threshold, and to receive a first modified MTC reservation pattern from the pattern manager where the MTC-On interval is extended into the next MTC-Off interval.