In some embodiments, the first responder users (e.g., priority customers) 436, enterprise users 438 and general consumers 340 communicate data through SAE GW-U 418 and either the 5G option 3× control-plane (C-plane) link 408 or 5G option 3× user plane (U-plane) link 414 and a split link 414a. In some embodiments, the devices used by first responders 436 are associated with QCI or SPID X (e.g., data packets are given QCI or SPID selected by the operator), the devices used by enterprise users 438 are associated with QCI or SPID Y (e.g., data packets are given QCI or SPID selected by the operator), and the devices used by consumers 440 are associated with QCI or SPID Z (e.g., data packets are given QCI or SPID selected by the operator). Based on QoS (QCI or SPID classes), the gNB can make decision how to steer data traffic when certain conditions arise. For example, for the first responder users 436, it would be preferred to steer priority service data traffic on QCI X to priority frequency band by default and split traffic to NR leg to boost data speed when there is large data in buffer and NR is available. For other traffic, NR leg will be preferred over LTE leg whenever NR is available. Thus, the QCI or SPID based traffic steering mechanism, a reliable data throughput on priority frequency band can be provided while providing the highest data speed when NR is available. In some embodiments, QoS based traffic steering system architecture 400 can allow the network to optimize resource allocation between LTE link and 5G link for LTE-5G NR dual connectivity, to steer traffic for high QCI or SPID class (hereinafter referred to as “QCI”), and/or to steer traffic to radio link with lower loading and optimize network resource allocation and optimize user experience.