摘要 |
A cellular radio communications network includes a core network with a core network node coupled to a radio access network (RAN) associated with a first radio access technology for communicating with mobile radio terminals. The RAN includes multiple RAN nodes. Each mobile radio terminal has an associated access class for accessing service from the cellular radio communications network. The core network node detects an overload condition and sends an overload message to the RAN nodes that includes information for reducing the overload condition. Each of the RAN nodes receives the overload message and determines whether an access class restriction should be implemented to reduce the number of mobile radio terminals permitted to access the cellular radio communications network. If so, the RAN node determines one or more access classes of mobile radio terminals to be restricted based on the information in the overload message. Information relating to the one or more restricted access classes is transmitted in an area associated with the RAN node so that the mobile terminals of a restricted access class are prohibited from accessing the cellular radio communications network. |