A method and apparatus are provided for controlling connection to a communication path in a communication network. The apparatus receives a bandwidth request and determines a value of bandwidth expansion factor from information relating to transmission of data over the communication path, which may include the type of channel, the type of connection, the sizes of packet payload and the distribution of the size of packet payload for transmission on the communication path. The actual bandwidth being requested is determined using the bandwidth expansion factor and this information is used by a connection admission controller to allow or deny the requested connection, and/or by a scheduler to control data transmission.