Method for controlling data flow associated with a communications node

This invention relates to a method for controlling data flow associated with a communications node; more specifically a communications node that services a wireless communications system. A communications node predicts a transmission-departure time of a receive data message from an output upon reception of the receive data message at an input of the communications node. The communications node determines if the receive data message would remain stored within the communications node for a latent duration longer than a waiting-time limit based on the predicted transmission-departure time. The communications node admits the receive data message, for storage in a buffer memory of the communications node for prospective transmission over the output, if the receive data message would be transmitted prior to expiration of the waiting-time limit.