An apparatus dynamically changes a connection service category for a soft permanent virtual circuit (SPVC). The apparatus includes a first interface, a second interface, a control interface receiving a command including a new connection service category for an exiting SPVC, and a module responsive to the command. The SPVC includes a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) connection leg set up from a source end to the first interface, and a switched virtual circuit (SVC) connection leg set up from the second interface to a destination-end via a communications network. The module releases the SVC connection leg while maintaining the PVC connection leg, de-allocates resources from the PVC connection leg, allocates new resources corresponding to the new connection service category and traffic parameters on the PVC connection leg, and creates a new SVC connection leg in accordance with the new connection service category and the traffic parameters.