Patent ID: 8369271

Claim:
A method comprising: dynamically setting a target utilization level for one or more resources in a cell of a wireless network in which one or more transmission resources are allocated among users in the cell, and in which the cell has an access area sensitive to at least one adjustable cell parameter; and in response to differences between the target utilization level and actual utilization levels of the one or more transmission resources, dynamically controlling the access area so as to enlarge it when the actual utilization levels are less than the target utilization level and to contract it when the actual utilization levels are greater than the target utilization level; wherein: the target utilization level is set such that the dynamic control of the access area will maintain the actual utilization levels near at or above a specified maximum utilization level permitting a tolerable frequency of overload events; wherein the specified maximum utilization level is determined based on a time-dependent maximum theoretical calculated utilization level before permitting overload events, specified by an overload protection mechanism, but without causing a statistically intolerable frequency of overload events based on the time-dependent maximum theoretical calculated utilization level, wherein a tolerable frequency of overload events is a frequency that allows for a load balancing mechanism adjusting a physical property of one or more transmission resources to occur between cells within a selected time period; and the dynamic control of the access area is achieved by dynamically controlling the at least one adjustable cell parameter.