Bearer Capability

Bearer Capability in telecommunications is one of the Information Elements of the Q.931 SETUP message. It is used by the calling party to specify the type of B channel being requested.

Description

For example, if a Bearer Capability of Speech is specified, the network is free to select a set of facilities that can provide this service.
If, on the other hand, a Bearer Capability of Unrestricted Digital Information is specified, the network is required to set up the call using only end-to-end digital facilities, or reject the call if no end-to-end digital circuit is available.
The Bearer Capability is augmented by the Higher Layer Compatibility Information Element, which informs the network of the intended use of the channel by the caller.