Methodology for an advanced metering system mesh network with self-adjusting traffic load management, comprising: establishing a network including a central facility and a plurality of node devices (310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366), at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices, and at least some of which node devices comprise data extraction nodes which provide communications at least in an uplink direction between others of the node devices and the central facility; configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of node devices (310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366); monitoring and calculating the respective traffic density in an uplink direction with reference to each respective node device (310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366); and controlling the timing of respective transmissions in an uplink direction of each respective node device based on its respective traffic density calculation, so that such traffic density calculation remains below a predetermined network limit, the methodology being characterised in that: said step of establishing a network includes providing a slotted Aloha frequency hopping mesh network; wherein said data extraction nodes are father node devices (310; 320; 330; 332; 340; 342); wherein the network is configured for said bi-directional communications via associations with respective of said father node devices (310; 320; 330; 332; 340; 342); wherein said step of monitoring comprises determining an average communication success rate to each father node device (310; 320; 330; 332; 340; 342) with reference to each respective node device and observing communications acknowledgements from such father node device, and wherein said step of calculating comprises, based on said determining step, calculating the respective traffic density of each such father node device with reference to each such respective node device; wherein said step of controlling comprises sending uplink transmissions at a random time within a randomization window, the length T W of which randomization window meets the following relationship 1 T W + R A ≤ R MAX, where T W is expressed in time slot units, R A is the traffic density for a give father node device A, and R MAX is a predetermined maximum traffic input density for such father node device A; and wherein uplink transmissions at each respective node device until controlled transmission thereof are buffered. establishing a network including a central facility and a plurality of node devices (310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366), at least some of which node devices comprise metrology devices, and at least some of which node devices comprise data extraction nodes which provide communications at least in an uplink direction between others of the node devices and the central facility; configuring the network for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of node devices (310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366); monitoring and calculating the respective traffic density in an uplink direction with reference to each respective node device (310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366); and controlling the timing of respective transmissions in an uplink direction of each respective node device based on its respective traffic density calculation, so that such traffic density calculation remains below a predetermined network limit, the methodology being characterised in that: said step of establishing a network includes providing a slotted Aloha frequency hopping mesh network; wherein said data extraction nodes are father node devices (310; 320; 330; 332; 340; 342); wherein the network is configured for said bi-directional communications via associations with respective of said father node devices (310; 320; 330; 332; 340; 342); wherein said step of monitoring comprises determining an average communication success rate to each father node device (310; 320; 330; 332; 340; 342) with reference to each respective node device and observing communications acknowledgements from such father node device, and wherein said step of calculating comprises, based on said determining step, calculating the respective traffic density of each such father node device with reference to each such respective node device; wherein said step of controlling comprises sending uplink transmissions at a random time within a randomization window, the length T W of which randomization window meets the following relationship 1 T W + R A ≤ R MAX, where T W is expressed in time slot units, R A is the traffic density for a give father node device A, and R MAX is a predetermined maximum traffic input density for such father node device A; and wherein uplink transmissions at each respective node device until controlled transmission thereof are buffered.