An apparatus or method integrates device policy and network policy in order to arbitrate a priority between packet data applications or services for a data connection. In response to a request, a data connection to a wireless network is established for a first application of a first type of application or service if no data session is in progress or if a second application of a second type of application or service can share an existing data session. A hybrid arbitrator performs hybrid arbitration between the first application and the second application in response to determining that the first type and the second type cannot share the existing data session, either based upon a network policy that specifies a difference in priority between the first type and the second type, or based upon a device policy if the network policy does not specify a difference in priority.