A method and apparatus for dynamically balancing traffic loads in a communications system (such as satellite communications systems), based on a control of collision rates via the real-time control of throughput of channels of the communications system (such as a real time throughput of random access channels in a satellite network). The method and apparatus generates and transmits to remote nodes or terminals an operating probability based on the determined throughput for transmission using the communications channel. Also, the method and apparatus includes receiving by at least one terminal the generated operating probability and determining by the at least one terminal a transmission probability for the communications channel based upon the received operating probability, which can further be adjusted by one or more of a received upper or lower limit of the generated operating probability or a collision rate for the communications channel.