USE OF PRIORITIES DEFINED BY A CUSTOMER IN A SIMA NETWORK

A method, system, and article of manufacture for generating at least two priority levels for a Nominal Bit Rate (NBR) based on at least two relative priorities defined by a customer and transmitting packets of information via a network with one of the at least two priority levels. The packets are transmitted from one network access unit to another network access unit. The network can be a SIMA network or other networks, such as a conventional IP (Internet Protocol) or ATM network. The method, system, and article of manufacture can also be used between the SIMA network and other networks to improve interoperability therebetween.