Patent ID: 8219107

Claim:
A method for controlling the load over a bearer that communicatively couples two intermediate nodes, a first node and a second node in a cellular fixed network, wherein each end of the bearer is communicatively coupled to its associated node via a first load reducer module and a second load reducer module respectively, the method comprising the actions of: measuring a current load over the bearer; adjusting, based on the measured load over the bearer, the load that is transmitted toward the two intermediate nodes by requesting a change in the bit rate used by a source of data that is transmitted toward the two intermediate nodes; intercepting, at the first load reducer module, a data unit received from the first node, wherein the data unit carries a media payload and the media payload targeted toward a destination device; determining whether the data unit is capable of impacting the bit rate that is used by the destination device and, based on the measured load; changing a portion of the data unit, which impacts the bit rate used by the destination device; and transferring the changed data unit toward the bearer.