Methods for providing video on demand service from an Application Service
Provider ("ASP") to a user over a Regional/Access Network ("RAN") are
provided. A request for a video on demand application flow may be
received from the user. In response to the request, information may be
obtained from the RAN regarding the capabilities of the user's Customer
Premises Equipment ("CPE"). A profile may then be forwarded from the ASP
to the RAN that specifies at least one policy regarding the transmission
of data associated with the video on demand application flow across the
RAN. The data associated with the video on demand application flow may
then be forwarded across the RAN in accordance with the profile. The RAN
may also be provided a default profile that specifies default policies
that apply with respect to video on demand application flows that are
transmitted across the RAN prior to obtaining information from the RAN
regarding the capabilities of the CPE of any specific user. The user
specific profiles may then be used to alter one or more policies
specified in the default profile.