A method and system for routing a connection on a communication network. A first bandwidth pool is classified as a long lived bandwidth pool and a second bandwidth pool is classified as a short lived bandwidth pool. The long lived bandwidth pool is used to route connections having a duration that are expected to equal or exceed a predetermined time. The short lived bandwidth pool is used to route connections having a duration that are not expected to exceed the predetermined time. A request to route a connection on the communication network is received. At least one characteristic of the connection is determined and is used to determine whether to route the connection on the long lived bandwidth pool or short lived bandwidth pool.