Abstract: The present invention provides a method to assure end-to-end quality of service for a multimedia session including plural media data streams. The multimedia session is between a first user terminal associated with a first local access network and a second user terminal associated with a second local access network. The first and second local networks are coupled to an IP backbone network. During session setup, the user terminals each request confirmation from the other that its local access network can provide the quality of service requested for the session. The first user terminal determines whether there are sufficient resources in the first local access network to support a quality of service in its local access network to support a quality of service requested for each of the media data streams. Once this is determined, the first user terminal sends a message to the second user terminal confirming that QoS assurance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to assure end-to-end quality of service for a multimedia session including plural media data streams. The multimedia session is between a first user terminal associated with a first local access network and a second user terminal associated with a second local access network. The first and second local networks are coupled to an IP backbone network. During session setup, the user terminals each request confirmation from the other that its local access network can provide the quality of service requested for the session. The first user terminal determines whether there are sufficient resources in the first local access network to support a quality of service in its local access network to support a quality of service requested for each of the media data streams. Once this is determined, the first user terminal sends a message to the second user terminal confirming that QoS assurance.

Abstract: To set up a multimedia session involving a mobile terminal, a session packet access bearer is established between the mobile terminal and an access point to a packet data network by way of a radio access network. The access point is coupled to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services. Using the session packet access bearer, a multimedia session involving the mobile terminal is initiated that includes a plurality of media data streams. Media packet access bearers between the mobile terminal and the access point are established. Media binding information is used to associate that multimedia session and each media data stream to one of the media packet access bearers used to transport a corresponding one of the media data streams between the mobile terminal and the access point. The media binding information may be used in a variety of ways to set up and control the multimedia session and the media packet access bearers.