In a mobile communications system, a mobile host communicates packet data with
an external network by way of a packet gateway node. The mobile host establishes
a packet session during which plural application flows are communicated with an
external network entity. Each application flow includes a corresponding stream
of packets. In addition, a corresponding quality of service parameter is defined
and reserved for each of the plural application flows. In this way, different quality
of service parameters may be defined and reserved for different ones of the application
flows. Packets corresponding to each of the application flows are then delivered,
for example, from the external network entity all the way to the mobile host in
accordance with the quality of service reserved for that application flow. Different
qualities of service may have different allocated bandwidths, delays, and/or reliabilities.