Methods and apparatus for the dynamic assignment of re-assembly queues to multiple connections in a communications system are described. In a preferred embodiment of the invention an ATM to MPLS mediation application is implemented. In the mediation process ATM cells are assigned to re-assembly queues where they are converted to MPLS packets for transmission over a MPLS tunnel. Typically there are many more connections than re-assembly queues which necessitates a dynamic assignment of the re-assembly queues to ensure efficient operation of the system. Re-assembly queues are serviced based on either a cell count or a timing factor.