Embodiments of the present invention provide a bearer setup apparatus and method. A base station includes: a receiving module, configured to receive a bearer setup request message sent by a mobility management entity MME, where the bearer setup request message is used to request to set up a bearer of a service, the bearer setup request message includes first experience quality information, the first experience quality information is an experience level related to the service, and the service is a service initiated by user equipment UE or a service initiated by a network-side device; and a processing module, configured to: determine, according to a current load status and the first experience quality information, whether the base station accepts the bearer setup request message, and if the base station accepts the bearer setup request message, set up a first bearer that is used to transmit the service.