Methods and apparatus for allowing containers in an optical transport network to be shared between users are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a first network element that is a part of an optical transport network includes a frame generator and an output arrangement. The frame generator creates a frame with a fixed stuff area that includes a first set of bits that provide channel identification information, a second set of bits that provide justification information, and a third set of bits that indicate either or both payload type information and client signal fail information. The output arrangement places the frame within a container for transport through the optical transport network. The bandwidth of the container is arranged to be utilized by a plurality of network elements including the first network element.