METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING A MULTICAST MESSAGE

摘要

A method is provided of transmitting a multicast message in some of a set of cells of a network. The method comprises the steps of: (a) detepnining a first subset of cells in each of which resides at least one mobile terminal that subscribes to the multicast message service and is in an active state; (b) from the cells not in the first subset determining a second subset of cells in each of which resides at least one mobile terminal that subscribes to the multicast message service and is in an inactive state by the steps of: (i) in a cell sending an enquiry message as to whether there is/are mobile terminal(s) subscribing to the multicast message service and in an inactive state, (ii) receiving a reply from at least one such mobile terminal subscribing to the multicast message service and in an inactive state; (c) transmitting the multicast message in the first subset of the cells; and (d) transmitting the multicast message in the second subset of the cells.