Methods to support continuous MBMS reception without network assistance

摘要

In an LTE/LTE-A system, a UE subscribes to an MBMS service in a source cell. In one embodiment, the UE with ongoing MBMS service handovers to a target cell. The UE obtains MBMS information of the target cell before or after the handover. The UE then determines MBMS service continuity in the target cell based on the obtained MBMS information. In another embodiment, the UE with ongoing MBMS service reselects a new cell. The UE makes cell reselection decision based on obtained MBMS information of its neighbor cells. If the subscribed MBMS service is discontinued after handover or cell reselection, the UE releases MBMS bearer and informs a NAS entity. If the subscribed MBMS service is available after handover or cell reselection, the UE keeps MBMS bearer during handover or cell reselection. By acquiring MBMS information, the UE is able to maintain continuous MBMS reception after handover or cell reselection.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a subscribed multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) service by a user equipment (UE) in a source cell; performing handover to a target cell; obtaining MBMS information of the target cell, wherein the MBMS information comprises an MBMS single frequency network (MBSFN) area ID of the target cell; and determining MBMS service continuity in the target cell, wherein the UE releases MBMS bearer and informs a non-access stratum (NAS) entity if the subscribed MBMS service is unavailable after handover, and wherein the UE keeps MBMS bearer during handover if the subscribed MBMS service is available after handover.