METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA BEARER PATH OPTIMIZATION THROUGH A SUCCESSION OF BORDER GATEWAYS

A method for identifying alternate end-to-end media paths through internet protocol realms using substitute session description protocol parameters is disclosed. The method includes receiving an session description protocol offer, including a list of previously traversed through internet protocol realms. The method continues with determining the next internet protocol realm for a media path based on unspecified signaling criteria. Finally, the method includes that if the next internet protocol realm to be traversed through is on the list of previously traversed through internet protocol realms, bypassing at least one border gateway associated with the current and previously traversed through internet protocol realms. The system implementing a method for identifying optimal end-to-end media paths and internet protocol multimedia subsystems include a list of internet protocol realm instances, an application level gateway configured to receive a session description protocol offer having connection information and port information, and a procedure to determine that if the next internet protocol realm that the media path may traverse through is on the list of instances, the media path connection information and port information is substituted to facilitate border gateway bypassing.