Patent ID: 9042291
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for assigning a limited number of pre-established Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) bearers among a plethora of communication groups in communication system comprising a radio access network that is partitioned into a plurality MBMS services areas, wherein each MBMS service area is associated with a plurality of 3 rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) MBMS bearers established αpriori for transporting media streams, the method comprising: receiving, by a call controller, an initial request to transmit a media stream to a communication group, wherein the request to transmit is received after the plurality of 3GPP MBMS bearers associated with the plurality of MBMS service areas were established; selecting, by the call controller, a set of the MBMS service areas for transporting the media stream; determining, by the call controller, an available 3GPP MBMS bearer of the plurality of established 3GPP MBMS bearers associated with each selected MBMS service area to assign to transport the media stream; identifying, by the call controller, the assigned 3GPP MBMS bearers to members of the communication group.