Communication system

A communication system having (a) an access layer in which local access networks give access to entities, (b) a packet switching layer providing switched communication between the local access networks, and (c) a cut through layer providing guaranteed quality of service communication between the local access networks. The entities signal selection of the packet switching network and/or the cut through network to its access network. The cut-through network can be selected when the packet switching network is congested and the user attributes priority to the communication. Preferably the local access networks are arranged to transmit tariff data to user entities which are arranged to display tariff data for a cut-through network.