Coding and packet distribution for alternative network paths in telecommunications networks

A method comprising:

• encoding a source stream of data into:
• (i) a first sub-stream according to a first encoded data rate, and
• (ii) a second sub-stream according to a second encoded data rate;
• evaluating the quality of service of a first network path from a first node to a second node through a third node that is not in a second network path, wherein said first network path fails to provide a quality-of-service guarantee;
• and
• when the quality of service of said first network path is unsatisfactory, transmitting said second sub-stream on a second network path from said first node to said second node through a fourth node that is not in said first network path.

A method comprising:

• encoding a first segment of a source stream of data into a first sub-stream according to a first encoded data rate;
• evaluating the quality of service of a first network path from a first node to a second node through a third node that is not in a second network path, wherein said first network path fails to provide a quality-of-service guarantee;
• and
• when the quality of service of said first network path is unsatisfactory:
• (i) encoding a second segment of said source stream into a second sub-stream according to a second encoded data rate, and
• (ii) transmitting said second sub-stream on a second network path from said first node to said second node through a fourth node that is not in said first network path.