A method for adjusting a bit rate of a data stream in a communication network, the data stream including data packets for transfer over a wireless channel, the method comprising: determining that the data stream includes video data; determining a level of congestion in the communication network, the level of congestion associated with a capacity of the wireless channel, the level of congestion capable of varying over time, and the capacity of the wireless channel capable of varying with the level of congestion; and if the data stream is determined to include video data and the determined level of congestions is above a predetermined level of congestion, adjusting the bit rate of the data stream so that the data packets can be transferred over the wireless channel in accordance with the capacity, characterized in that determining that the data stream includes video data further comprising: detecting at least one of an IP source address and an IP destination address, and performing one or more of a reverse domain name system lookup and an Internet "WHOIS" query, to establish at least one of the domain name and registered assignees that source or receive the data stream; deriving an application class and a specific application attribute for the data stream by consulting a priori knowledge of the purpose of the established domain or assignee purpose according to the least one of the established domain name and the registered assignees, wherein the application class or the specific application attribute is identified based on a protocol used to set up or establish the data stream, wherein the application class is a video, and the specific application attribute is a vender of the video; and storing the derived application class and specific application attribute in the mapping for maintaining or periodically updating the mapping between the at least one of the domain names or the registered assignees and an application class and a specific Application attribute. determining that the data stream includes video data; determining a level of congestion in the communication network, the level of congestion associated with a capacity of the wireless channel, the level of congestion capable of varying over time, and the capacity of the wireless channel capable of varying with the level of congestion; and if the data stream is determined to include video data and the determined level of congestions is above a predetermined level of congestion, adjusting the bit rate of the data stream so that the data packets can be transferred over the wireless channel in accordance with the capacity, detecting at least one of an IP source address and an IP destination address, and performing one or more of a reverse domain name system lookup and an Internet "WHOIS" query, to establish at least one of the domain name and registered assignees that source or receive the data stream; deriving an application class and a specific application attribute for the data stream by consulting a priori knowledge of the purpose of the established domain or assignee purpose according to the least one of the established domain name and the registered assignees, wherein the application class or the specific application attribute is identified based on a protocol used to set up or establish the data stream, wherein the application class is a video, and the specific application attribute is a vender of the video; and storing the derived application class and specific application attribute in the mapping for maintaining or periodically updating the mapping between the at least one of the domain names or the registered assignees and an application class and a specific Application attribute.