A method and apparatus for defining access barring parameters in a communication network is provided. In a communication network that includes a base station in communication with multiple User Equipments, UEs. A number of UEs attempting to access the base station for a first time period is estimated. A barring factor is determined for a second time period based at least in part on the estimated number of UEs attempting to access the base station. The second time period is different than the first time period. A barring time is determined based at least in part on the determined barring factor for the second time period.