What is disclosed is a system and method wherein a wireless access system configured to receive a data packet with a first quality-of-service indicator value from a wireless device over a wireless link, provide a first level of service to the wireless device over the wireless link based on the first quality-of-service indicator, and transfer the data packet with the first quality-of-service indicator. The communication system includes a core packet network configured to receive the data packet with the first quality-of-service indicator and determine if the first quality-of-service indicator is consistent with a quality-of-service policy for the wireless device. The core packet network is configured, if the first quality-of-service indicator is not consistent with the quality-of-service policy for the wireless device, to determine a second quality-of-service indicator consistent with the quality-of-service policy for the wireless device, and transfer the data packet with the second quality-of-service indicator. The wireless access system is configured to receive the data packet with the second quality-of-service indicator, and provide a second level of service to the wireless device over the wireless link based on the second quality-of-service indicator.