A method and apparatus for managing load in a communication network are provided. At a processor of a relay device, a number of messages is determined that are one or more of currently queued for relay via a communication interface of the relay device and previously relayed within a given time period, the communication interface and the processor of the relay device for relaying the messages, via the communication interface, between a plurality of devices and a network infrastructure. At the processor, a rate at which the plurality of devices establishes communications with the network infrastructure is controlled, wherein there is an inverse relationship between the rate and the number of messages.