A load condition of a cell is determined without having to measure one or more radio parameters pertaining to the cell load, e.g., interference level. Based upon that determined load condition, a traffic condition of the cell may then be regulated, e.g., admission and/or congestion control, transmit power control, etc. The load condition is determined simply and accurately by observing the value (absolute or weighted) of transmit power control commands issued in the cell over a particular time period. To identify potential "false alarms" of increased cell loads, a radio parameter associated with another frequency band in another cellular system that impacts the load condition of the cell in the current cellular system is measured. A traffic condition in that cell is regulated based upon the determined load condition in the cell taking into account the measured radio parameter.