Abstract: A method of operating a communication system having a plurality of data channels for downlink transmission from a base station to a plurality of subscriber stations. The method comprises receiving, at a base station, an inflow having a plurality of packets of a plurality of connections, each the connection being with one of a plurality of subscriber stations, regulating the inflow according to a throughput rate, setting a deadline to each the packet in the regulated inflow as a function of its reception time, and scheduling a transmission of the plurality of packets to the plurality of subscriber stations according to their deadlines so as to guarantee substantially the throughput rate for each one of the plurality of connections.