4 General description of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS)

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

Point to multipoint services exist today which allow data from a single source entity to be transmitted to multiple endpoints. These services are expected to be used extensively over wireless networks, hence there is a need for a capability in the PLMN to efficiently support them. The Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) will provide this capability for such broadcast/multicast services provided by the home environment and other VASPs.

The MBMS is a unidirectional point to multipoint bearer service in which data is transmitted from a single source entity to multiple recipients. It is anticipated that other services will use these bearer capabilities.

MBMS also enables an IMS application located on an application server to send multimedia to a set of IMS users in the service area by means of MBMS bearer service.

3GPP has defined two modes of operation:

– the broadcast mode

– the multicast mode.