3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations

22.1463GPPMultimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS)Release 17Stage 1TS

3.1 Definitions

For the purposes of the present document, the definitions in 3GPP TR 21.905 [1] as well as the following definitions apply.

Broadcast service area: The area in which a specific broadcast service is available. It is defined individually per broadcast service. The broadcast service area may represent the coverage area of the entire PLMN, or part(s) of the PLMN’s coverage area. The broadcast service area is the sum of all local broadcast areas offering the same service.

Local Broadcast Area: The area of a broadcast service, where the service content is the same. One broadcast service may have different content in different local broadcast areas.

Broadcast mode: The part of MBMS that supports broadcast services.

Broadcast service: A unidirectional point-to-multipoint service in which data is efficiently transmitted from a single source to multiple UEs in the associated broadcast service area. Broadcast services may be received by all users who have enabled the specific broadcast service locally on their UE and who are in the broadcast area defined for the service.

Broadcast session: A continuous and time-bounded reception of a broadcast service by the UE. A single broadcast service can only have one broadcast session at any time. A broadcast service may consist of multiple successive broadcast sessions.

Mobile Station (MS): Defined in 3GPP TS 24.002. (The abbreviation "UE" in this specification refers both to MS and User Equipment.)

Multicast transmission activation: The process by which the network activates the transmission of Multicast data.

Multicast service area: The area in which a specific multicast service is available. It is defined individually per multicast service. The multicast service area may represent the coverage area of an entire PLMN, or part(s) of the PLMN’s coverage area. The multicast service area is the sum of all local multicast areas offering the same service.

Local multicast area: The area of a multicast service, where the service content is the same. One multicast service may have different content in different local multicast areas.

Multicast mode: The part of MBMS that supports multicast services.

Multicast joining: The process by which a user joins a multicast group.

Multicast session: A continuous and time-bounded reception of a multicast service by the UE. A single multicast service can only have one multicast session at any time. A multicast service may consist of multiple successive multicast sessions.

Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS): A unidirectional point-to-multipoint service in which data is transmitted from a single source entity to a group of users in a specific area. The MBMS has two modes: Broadcast mode and Multicast mode.

Multicast group: A group of users that have an activated MBMS in multicast mode and therefore are ready to or are receiving data transmitted by this service. The multicast group is a subset of the Multicast subscription group. Multicast subscription group members may join the corresponding multicast group.

Multicast service: A unidirectional point-to-multipoint service in which data is efficiently transmitted from a single source to a multicast group in the associated multicast service area. Multicast services can only be received by such users that are subscribed to the specific multicast service and have joined the multicast group associated with the specific service.

Multicast subscription: The process by which a user subscribes or is subscribed to a multicast subscription group and thereby is authorised to join certain multicast services. Multicast subscription is performed either upon user selection or due to home environment initiation.

Multicast Subscription Group: A group of users who are subscribed to a certain MBMS in multicast mode and therefore authorised to join and receive multicast services associated with this group.

User Equipment: defined in TS 21.905. An occurrence of a User Equipment is an MS for GSM as defined in TS 24.002.

3.2 Abbreviations

For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:

MBMS Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service

MS Mobile Station

UE User Equipment