A method for optimizing network traffic that is delivered to a client via a RAN is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, at a first node, a request for content transmitted by the client, including an indication pertaining to a first traffic optimization functionality into the request, and forwarding the modified request to a second node located upstream. At the second node, receiving the request and forwarding the request to a server. At the second node, receiving downlink traffic related to the request, optimizing the downlink traffic, and forwarding the downlink traffic to the first node. In optimizing the downlink traffic, the second node omits traffic optimization functionality corresponding to the first traffic optimization functionality. The first node then receives the downlink traffic, optimizes the downlink traffic, and forwards the optimized downlink traffic to the client.