Abstract: A Balanced Packet Transmit Opportunity (BPTO) mechanism allows balanced bandwidth traffic to be serviced while still maintaining the service levels desired for high priority traffic. The above embodiment achieved the result by distinguishing both queue types and slot style types, and performing selections differently depending upon the relative styles of the queues and slots. This arrangement provides a number of advantages. Because the selection method is fast and relatively simple to implement, a large number of queues may be integrated into the decision process while maintaining a desired output bandwidth. In addition, the selection process provides a flexibility, allowing multiple traffic shaping considerations to be modified during operations to support changing network requirements. In addition, the selection process provides a flexibility, allowing multiple traffic shaping considerations to be modified during operations to support changing network requirements.