Patent ID: 8934423
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for managing at least one broadcast/multicast service (BMS) bearer among a plurality of communication groups, wherein a central resource manager is communicatively coupled to a BMS capable system, the BMS capable system having a radio access network partitioned into at least one BMS service area and a total number of BMS bearers for transporting media streams, and wherein each BMS service area has associated therewith a portion of the total number of BMS bearers, the central resource manager configured to perform the steps of: allocating, to a first local call controller of a plurality of local call controllers, a first portion of the total number of BMS bearers to be managed locally by the first local call controller; identifying the first portion of the total number of BMS bearers to the first local call controller; managing a second portion of the total number of BMS bearers for a subsequent allocation to at least one second local call controller of the plurality of local call controllers; and wherein the BMS bearers are established prior to allocation to the first local call controller and the at least one second local call controller of the plurality of local call controllers.