A method, device and computer-readable storage element for dynamically changing a maximum access channel rate at a site in a communication system. The method includes setting a maximum access channel rate for an access channel at a site, which comprises a coverage area for a base station. The method further includes determining a first access probe success rate that measures a rate at which first attempt access probes sent from the terminals on the access channel are received, and changing the maximum access channel rate based on the first access probe success rate.