A method for the prioritization of real-time telegrams in a convergent network, in particular in an industrial network and/or a “time-sensitive network” (TSN), wherein the convergent network has a central distribution infrastructure and a decentralized distribution infrastructure, and within the convergent network a service sends and/or receives real-time telegrams, and wherein the convergent network has a switching node forming a central network node for connection of central distribution infrastructure and decentralized distribution infrastructure, and which has a coupling port via which the switching node is connected to the decentralized distribution infrastructure, wherein the switching node has central network ports via which the switching node is integrated into the central distribution infrastructure, where real-time telegrams received at central network ports of the switching nodes are assigned a higher priority level than the real-time telegrams received at the coupling ports so as to provide efficient prioritization of real-time telegrams.