Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for supporting local MBMS distribution are provided. One method includes receiving, by a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC), an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request message to initiate an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request procedure. The activate MBMS bearer request message comprises at least one of information on local MBMS distribution received from a local MBMS entity (LME), or a destination area, or a destination area and an indication that preferred delivery is via local distribution. The method may further include determining whether local distribution path will be used based on at least one of information received in the activate MBMS bearer request message, or stored information about local MBMS entities.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product establish at least two redundant protocol data unit sessions to at least one user equipment. The at least two redundant protocol data unit sessions are established based on dual connectivity in a radio access network. The method, apparatus and computer program product collect network status information related to the at least two redundant protocol data unit sessions. The method, apparatus and computer program product configure a set of protocol data unit session switching patterns for the at least two redundant protocol data unit sessions based on the real-time network status information.

Abstract: A technique includes transmitting a request for the delivery of multicast data; receiving the multicast data via a unicast data radio bearer or a multicast data radio bearer, wherein the user device is located in a first cell; receiving, by the user device from the base station, a connection suspend message, wherein the connection suspend message includes: information describing a radio access network (RAN) multicast area (RMA) for the delivery of the multicast data via a multicast data radio bearer, and a group identifier associated with the multicast data, wherein the RMA includes a list of one or more cells that has been updated by the base station to include the first cell where the user device is located; entering, by the user device, a low activity state in response to the connection suspend message; and, receiving, by the user device, the multicast data via the multicast data radio bearer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus and computer program products for providing broadcast/multicast services.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product receive an application flow comprising a source flow and a supplementary flow from a core network. The method, apparatus and computer program product receive a flow payload indication from the core network. The method, apparatus and computer program product determine whether the application flow is to be transmitted via a unicast transmission or a multicast transmission. The method, apparatus and computer program product determine whether the supplementary flow is droppable based on the flow payload indication and whether the application flow is to be transmitted via a unicast transmission or a multicast transmission. The method, apparatus and computer program product cause only the source flow to be transmitted in a circumstance where the supplementary flow is droppable.

Abstract: A technique includes transmitting a request for the delivery of multicast data; receiving the multicast data via a unicast data radio bearer or a multicast data radio bearer, wherein the user device is located in a first cell; receiving, by the user device from the base station, a connection suspend message, wherein the connection suspend message includes: information describing a radio access network (RAN) multicast area (RMA) for the delivery of the multicast data via a multicast data radio bearer, and a group identifier associated with the multicast data, wherein the RMA includes a list of one or more cells that has been updated by the base station to include the first cell where the user device is located; entering, by the user device, a low activity state in response to the connection suspend message; and, receiving, by the user device, the multicast data via the multicast data radio bearer.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from network location reporting. For example, such reporting may be beneficial in the establishment of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service bearer for media traffic delivery from a group communication service application server or other similar device or system. A method can include reporting at least a first set of user equipment location information and at least a second set of user equipment location information from the user equipment to at least one network node for broadcast bearer management. The first set of user equipment location information can include a serving cell identity of the user equipment. The second set of user equipment location information can include at least one identity of at least one network service area for media broadcasting.

Abstract: An apparatus for use by a packet duplication control element or function, the apparatus including processing circuitry, and memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the memory and the instructions are configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to receive assistance information indicating communication conditions of at least one communication link between a communication element and at least two communication network access points, to process the assistance information for preparing a packet duplication control, to generate transmission control information on the basis of the result of the processing of the assistance information, the transmission control information indicating settings for a packet duplication process in the established multi-connectivity communication, and to send the transmission control information to at least one transmission control element or function being involved in the packet duplication process in the estab

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from a dynamic streaming service. For example, certain streaming services may benefit from an improvement in the switching between broadcast delivery and unicast delivery for a streaming service in a cellular system. A method includes receiving information about a streaming service. The method also includes determining by a network entity in a radio access network whether to deliver data for the streaming service via multimedia broadcast or unicast based on the information and predetermined criteria for evaluating the information. In addition, the method includes triggering a sending of the data via the multimedia broadcast or the unicast.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from network location reporting. For example, such reporting may be beneficial in the establishment of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service bearer for media traffic delivery from a group communication service application server or other similar device or system. A method can include reporting at least a first set of user equipment location information and at least a second set of user equipment location information from the user equipment to at least one network node for broadcast bearer management. The first set of user equipment location information can include a serving cell identity of the user equipment. The second set of user equipment location information can include at least one identity of at least one network service area for media broadcasting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for V2X server discovery. In some example embodiments, there may be provided a method. The method may include receiving, by a user equipment, an indication of an identity of a local server configured to provide, in the serving public land mobile network, information regarding a vehicle-based service, when the user equipment enters a region of the serving public land mobile network; and discovering, by the user equipment, the local server based on the received indication of the identity. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a first network entity, at least one user equipment context modification request from a second network entity. The method may further include configuring, by the first network entity, at least one of one or more unicast channels and one or more multicast channels. The method may further include receiving, by the first network entity, multicast data. The method may further include selecting, by the first network entity, at least one of one or more multicast channels and one or more unicast channels to transmit multicast data.

Abstract: There is provided a method, comprising: at least partially controlling, by a network node, transmissions in a plural of radio access technologies, RATs, each RAT being capable of providing at least one communication link to a same user equipment; deciding to transmit a packet to the user equipment at least via a first RAT; requesting a transmission of the packet additionally via at least one other RAT; determining capability information corresponding to the requested transmission of the packet via the at least one other RAT; determining transmission setup for the packet to be transmitted via the first RAT based on the capability information, wherein the transmission set-up defines at least the number of transmissions to be performed for the packet by the first RAT; and instructing the transmission of the packet via the first RAT according to the determined transmission level.

Abstract: An apparatus in a network function comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine that a protocol data unit session for a user equipment is to be updated to add or modify multicast information; and provide multicast context information associated with said user equipment which causes said user equipment to receive multicast data associated with said multicast context information.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: receive a message from at least one user equipment requesting to join a multicasting/broadcasting group; receive data for multicasting/broadcasting from a data network; generate multicasting/broadcasting session information for the data; route the data based on the multicasting/broadcasting session to at least one access point, wherein the access point wirelessly communicates the data to user equipment based on the multicasting/broadcasting session information.

Abstract: Multicast and/or broadcast service may be provided to one or more radio access networks, such as using one or more multicast broadcast gateways and/or one or more nodes, such as coordination function nodes. A multicast broadcast gateway may be connected to a node via a control plane interface. The node may be associated with a base station configured to provide one or more of multicast transmissions or broadcast transmissions to user devices from a broadcast multicast core network. The multicast broadcast gateway may also be connected to the base station via a user plane interface. The multicast broadcast gateway may send, to the node and via the control plane interface, one or more control signals. The multicast broadcast gateway may send, to the base station and via the user plane interface, one or more user signals. The multicast broadcast gateway and/or node may be used to setup, update, and/or stop multicast and/or broadcast sessions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for supporting local MBMS distribution are provided. One method includes receiving, by a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC), an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request message to initiate an activate multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) bearer request procedure. The activate MBMS bearer request message comprises at least one of information on local MBMS distribution received from a local MBMS entity (LME), or a destination area, or a destination area and an indication that preferred delivery is via local distribution. The method may further include determining whether local distribution path will be used based on at least one of information received in the activate MBMS bearer request message, or stored information about local MBMS entities.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an access node for a radio access network. The access node comprises means for determining, in response to receiving a plurality of data packets associated with one or more radio bearers for scheduling to terminal devices, an over-the-air transmission mode of each radio bearer. The means are further configured to, in response to determining that the one or more radio bearers comprise one or more first explicit multi-unicast, Xcast, radio bearers using multicast and one or more second radio bearers using unicast, schedule the one or more radio bearers according to a first scheduling mechanism. The first scheduling mechanism prioritizes the one or more first Xcast radio bearers to maximize a system throughput.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product receive, at a network node of a communication network, information about an accumulated packet delay in the communication network. The method, apparatus and computer program product estimate next hop transport delay and estimate or measure a processing delay of the network node. The method, apparatus and computer program product update the accumulated packet delay by adding the next hop transport delay and the processing delay to the accumulated packet delay. The method, apparatus and computer program product cause transmission of information about the accumulated packet delay in a header of a packet carrying user data or a control packet in the communication network to a next hop node of the communication network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are disclosed for data distribution. A method comprises: sending a message, containing an indication of a target area related to first data to be distributed, from a first distribution unit to a distribution management device; receiving first information comprising at least one target address from the distribution management device in response to sending of the message, wherein the at least one target address is related to one or more second distribution units covering the target area; and sending the first data to the at least one target address when the message does not contain the first data.