An approach for transmitting packets conforming with the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) over a satellite communications network comprises a plurality of prioritized queues that are configured to store the packets. The packets conform with a predetermined protocol. A classification logic classifies the packets based upon the predetermined protocol. The packet is selectively stored in one of the plurality of queues, wherein the one queue is of a relatively high priority. The packet is scheduled for transmission over the satellite communications network according to the relative priority of the one queue.