APPLICATION SERVER-CENTRIC QUALITY OF SERVICE MANAGEMENT IN NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS

An application server-centric approach for managing quality of service in network communications involves an application server causing the modification of an existing communications session with a device, via a layer-2 change to a communications link used by the session, so that the session supports a different quality of service level for the device. The process starts when a request to initiate a communications session is received from a device. A session is initiated with the device, wherein the session supports a first quality of service level. In response to detecting the occurrence of an event, an application server determines that a second quality of service level is to be supported based upon the detected event and service criteria data. The application server then causes the existing session to be modified, via a layer-2 change to the communications link, so that the existing session supports the second quality of service level for the device.