Patent ID: 7286826

Claim:
A method for providing a multicast service from a macrocell or a microcell to a mobile station in a mobile communication system having a hierarchical cell structure in which at least one microcell area overlaps one macrocell area, the method comprising the steps of: entering, by the mobile station, to the microcell and requesting a multicast service to a base station controller; determining, by the base station controller, a data rate of the multicast service requested from the mobile station; measuring, by the mobile station, a carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) in the macrocell where the microcell area overlaps, and transmitting the measured C/I to the base station controller; comparing, by the base station controller, the measured C/I with a C/I required based on the determined data rate; ordering, by the base station controller, the mobile station to perform a handover from the microcell to the macrocell, if the measured C/I is higher than the required C/I.