Packet network access point selection based on application group membership

A wireless packet access network comprising:

• a plurality of core packet network access points;
• and
• a wireless network control system configured to:
• receive a packet data request from an application in a wireless communication device;
• determine if the application is a member of a first application group or a second application group;
• select a core packet network access point from the plurality of core packet network access points based on whether the application is a member of the first application group or the second application group and based on a data structure which associates the application with the first application group or the second application group;
• transmit the packet data request to the selected core packet network access point to initiate access to a core packet network;
• and
• modify the data structure to provide a different level of service to the wireless communication device by changing the application group with which the application is associated such that a different one of the plurality of core packet network access points will be selected, wherein the different one of the plurality of core packet network access points has a shorter response time than the selected core packet network access point.