A method of limiting the bit rate going to a network service having a target bit rate, data packet traffic to the service coming from at least one contributor, and a bit rate being associated with the portion of the traffic coming from said contributor. The method includes sending the packet from the contributor to the service if the bit rate of the traffic of the contributor is below a threshold that is a function of the target bit rate and a current data packet traffic to said service, the bit rate of the traffic from the contributor being measured on the current data packet traffic.