Abstract: A method of reserving resources in an internet is disclosed. The method provides an improved process for use in relation to large scale shared-tree multicast environments since its use results in a reduction in path state in the routers (A-E, R1-R6) in the internet. The method involves the sending of path characteristics upstream from receivers (H1-H7) to senders (H1-H7), the routers in between combining path characteristics from different sources downstream of them. Reservations are subsequently made on the basis of the combined path characteristic data, the nature of the sender's traffic and the end-to-end quality of service required by the sender.