Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service 2995702 221644393 2008-06-25T12:53:02Z BOTarate 5870361 robot Adding: [[ca:Broadcast multicast service center]] {{Cleanup|date=June 2007}} '''Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service''' ('''MBMS''') is a [[broadcasting]] [[Service (economics)|service]] that can be offered via existing [[GSM]] and [[UMTS]] [[cellular network]]s. The infrastructure offers an option to use an uplink channel for interaction between the service and the user, which is not a straightforward issue in usual [[broadcast network]]s, as for example conventional [[digital television]] is only a one-way (unidirectional) system. MBMS uses multicast distribution in the core network instead of point-to-point links for each end device. MBMS will start to be rolled out in cellular networks during 2008 and gives the opportunity to broadcast TV, film, information and other media in these networks. MBMS has the major benefits that the network infrastructure is already there for mobile network operators and the deployment can be cost effective compared with building a new network for the services. The broadcast capability enables to reach unlimited number of users with constant network load. Further it also enables the possibility to broadcast information simultaneously to many cellular subscribers for example emergency alerts. == Technical explanation == The MBMS feature is split into the MBMS Bearer Service and the MBMS User Service. The MBMS Bearer Service includes a '''Multicast-''' and a '''Broadcast Mode'''. The MBMS Bearer Service uses '''IP Multicast addresses''' for the IP flows. The advantage of the MBMS Bearer Service compared to legacy UMTS bearer services (interactive, streaming, etc) is, that the transmission resources in the core- and radio network are shared. One MBMS packet flow is replicated by [[GGSN]], SGSN and RNCs. MBMS may use an advanced counting scheme to decide, whether or not zero, one or more dedicated (i.e. unicast) radio channels lead to a more efficient system usage than one common (i.e. broadcast) radio channel. '''UTRAN MBMS''' offers up to 256kbit/s per MBMS Bearer Service and between 800kbit/s and 1.7Mbit/s per cell/band. The actual cell capacity depends on the UE capabilities. '''[[GERAN]] MBMS''' offers between 32kbit/s and 128kbit/s. Up to 4 GSM Timeslot may be used for one MBMS bearer in downlink direction. The actual datarate per Traffic Slot depends on network dimensioning. The MBMS User Service is basically the MBMS Service Layer and offers a '''Streaming-''' and a '''Download Delivery Method'''. The Streaming Delivery method can be used for continuous transmissions like '''Mobile TV services'''. The Download Method is intended for "Download and Play" services. To increase the transmission reliability, an application layer FEC code may be used. Further, a file-repair service may be offered to complement the download delivery method. '''MBMS''' has been standardized in various groups of [[3GPP]] (Third Generation Partnership Project), and the first phase standards are found in UMTS release 6. As Release 6 was functionally frozen by the 3rd quarter of [[2004]], practical network implementations may be expected by the end of [[2007]], and the first functional mobile terminals supporting '''MBMS''' are estimated to be available by also end of [[2007]]. '''MBMS''' is believed to be currently under active evaluation by '''Mobile Network Operators''' as a means of delivering '''Mobile Television''' to the [[mass market]]. Competing technologies include [[DVB-H]], [[Digital Multimedia Broadcasting|DMB]], [[Enhanced Packet Mode|EPM]]-[[Digital audio broadcasting|DAB]], BCAST and FLO. However due to [[spectrum]] availability and the cost of building new broadcast infrastructure these technologies may not be viable. On the other hand, FLO has been deployed commercially in the US by Verizon Wireless through their relationship with MediaFLO USA, Inc. (a subsidiary of Qualcomm). DMB [[Digital Multimedia Broadcasting]] and DVB-H trials have been ongoing for more than a year now, like those during the football 2006 championships in Germany. MBMS technologies, like TDtv are now also in trials in the UK<ref>[http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/10/17/mobile-phone-tv-trial-in-the-uk-by-3uk-orange-telefonica-and/ Mobile Phone TV trial in the UK by 3UK, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone - PVR Wire<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, however DMB and DVB-H seem to still hold a time to market advantage over MBMS technologies. == 3GPP Technical Specifications == MBMS Bearer Service (Distribution Layer): [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/22146.htm 3GPP TS 22.146] Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Stage 1 [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/23246.htm 3GPP TS 23.246] Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Architecture and functional description [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/25346.htm 3GPP TS 25.346] Introduction of the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) in the Radio Access Network (RAN); Stage 2 [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/25992.htm 3GPP TS 25.992] Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS); UTRAN/GERAN Requirements [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/43246.htm 3GPP TS 43.246] Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) in the GERAN; Stage 2 [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/25803.htm 3GPP TR 25.803] S-CCPCH performance for Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) MBMS User Service (Service Layer): [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/22246.htm 3GPP TS 22.246] Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) user services; Stage 1 [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/26346.htm 3GPP TS 26.346] Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Protocols and codecs [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/26946.htm 3GPP TR 26.946] Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) user service guidelines [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/33246.htm 3GPP TS 33.246] 3G Security; Security of Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/32273.htm 3GPP TS 32.273] Telecommunication management; Charging management; Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (MBMS) charging == Market deployment == 3UK, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefonica trial TDtv in the UK<ref>[http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/10/17/mobile-phone-tv-trial-in-the-uk-by-3uk-orange-telefonica-and/ Mobile Phone TV trial in the UK by 3UK, Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone - PVR Wire<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> == References == <references/> ==See also== * [[Mobile TV]] * [[DVB-H]] * [[MediaFLO]] * [[TDtv]] [[Category:Mobile telephone broadcasting]] [[Category:Broadcast engineering]] [[ca:Broadcast multicast service center]] [[de:Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service]] [[sv:Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service]]