Partitioning entity and method for partitioning capacity

A partitioning entity of a communication network configured to partition a total capacity of the communication network among communication links, the partitioning entity comprising:

• a controller for assigning communication links to a first group associated with a time-varying group capacity to form a first group of communication links, the first group comprising a first sub-group and a second sub-group;
• and
• an allocator configured to allocate a non-zero fraction of said time-varying group capacity to said first sub-group and to allocate a predetermined group capacity to a second group of communication links.

A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by a data processor, cause the data processor to partition a capacity of a communication network among communication links, the computer program instructions causing the data processor to:

• assign communication links to a first group associated with a time-varying group capacity to form a first group of communication links, the first group comprising a first subgroup and a second sub-group;
• allocate a non-zero fraction of said time-varying group capacity to said first sub-group , and
• allocate a predetermined group capacity to a second group of communication links.