Patent ID: 10057080

Abstract:
Implementing multicast transmission over bonded broadband provides a communication network comprising a plurality of routers having the ability to route multicast streams: a multicast stream splitter receiving a multicast stream and arranged in operation to split the multicast stream into a plurality of multicast sub-streams and to transmit the plurality of multicast streams. The plurality of routers receive the multicast sub-streams and replicate them in dependence upon downstream routers subscribed to the sub-streams. One or more bonding routers serve a single customer serving a plurality of fixed or wireless broadband connections having a respective capacity. Each bonding router subscribes to one or more of the plurality of multicast sub-streams in dependence upon the respective capacity of the plurality of connections; wherein the one or more bonding routers serving a single customer aggregate the plurality of multicast sub-streams to form a single multicast stream for use by the customer.