Method and system for improving transmission efficiency using multiple-description layered encoding

A method, system and apparatus for improving network transmission efficiency using MDS and Fine Granular Spatial coding is disclosed. In accordance with the method, a video image is partitioned into a plurality of information item frames, each frame is independently layer encoded into a base layer and an enhancement layer, at least one channel of the communication is then selected, each of the base layers are associated with one of the selected communication channels, and each base layer is transmitted over the associated communication channel. In other aspect, a residual bandwidth is determined on each associated channel and a level of an associated enhancement layer comparable to the residual bandwidth is transmitted over the associated channel.