A content server transmits content data designated by a content
reservation request from a DTE onto a first or a second communications
circuit for storage into a DCE connected to the DTE. The content
reservation request indicates a time limit in which the designated
content data is to be ready in the DCE. The content server manages the
designated time limit, and performs scheduling processing. During the
processing, based on both the managed time limit and predetermined
communications information, a transmission timing is determined which
ensures that the content data is completely transmitted by the time
limit, and which communications circuit is optimal. The content server
transmits the content data onto the determined optimal communications
circuit within the determined transmission timing. Accordingly, the data
transmission system can achieve an efficient use of a communications
circuit in terms of transmission bandwidth, and download data from a
server at a lesser expense.