IMPROVEMENTS IN AN EHSPA ARCHITECTURE

摘要

This invention relates to a system and method for use in a telecommunications network utilising Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS). More particularly, the invention relates to a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network utilising MBMS and eHSPA technology. IP multicast connections directly between the eHSPA Node Bs I l and an IP address are utilised to reduce the amount of transport bearers that need to be established. Further, the RNC functionality for setting up an MBMS communication is divided between the eHSPA Node Bs 11 and a legacy RNC, utilised as a CRNC 12. In particular, this arrangement enables the user plane to be effectively established from the enhanced node B, whilst still allowing the second RNC to have control of the control plane decisions. This therefore also allows the resources used in establishing the MBMS communication to be minimised.