A method of tuning of packet loss priority information for an overload control of a data packet-switching communications device

Data packets (DPx) and respectively allocated packet loss priority information (CLPx) are transmitted to a communications device (ATM-KE) and buffered in relation to a specific connection. Said packet loss priority information (CLPx) is then read from the buffered data packets (DPx) and modified according to the connection type or the application-specific data traffic type. After the data packet (DPx) has been switched in the communications device (ATM-KE), the original packet loss priority information which was switched with the data packets (DPx) is reinserted into the corresponding data packet (DPx).