Method and apparatus for reference frame management for video communication

In a communication system, a method comprising:

• determining a network condition, at a network estimator of a first client, based on at least one of network type of at least one other client, network bandwidth, network delay, and network congestion;
• establishing, in an encoder of the first client, a bitrate of an encoded bit stream, interval between I frames, and resolution of encoded video based upon the network condition for a connection stage;
• adaptively updating the interval between I frames, the bitrate of the encoded bit steams, and the resolution of the encoded video based upon feedback from at least one of the at least one other client;
• exiting a connection stage and entering a communication stage for the first client when feedback from the at least one other client signals successful decoding of at least one I frame;
• and
• altering a ratio between a number of long term reference frames and short term reference frames in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) inversely to the network delay when in the communication stage.