The present invention establishes reserved paths between nodes in a packet network. Each reserved path has a defined bandwidth and may be implemented as a label switched path (LSP) in a multiprotocol label switched (MPLS) network or a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) in an asynchronous time multiplexing (ATM) network. Associated with each reserved path is a virtual trunk group having the same bandwidth as that of the virtual path. Telephony calls requiring media flows associated with a channel in the virtual trunk group will transport packets along the reserved path associated with the virtual trunk group. Access to the reserved path may be limited to only media flows associated with a virtual trunk group to ensure adequate bandwidth at all times for the number of channels associated with the virtual trunk group.