ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)

Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); LTE; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Stage 1 (3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15)

RTS/TSGS-0122146vf00

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Jul-2019
• Technical Committee: 3GPP SA 1 - Services
• Current Stage: 12 - Completion
• Completion Date: 23-Jul-2019

Standards Content (Sample)

ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)






TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+) (GSM);
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS);
LTE;
Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS);
Stage 1
(3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 1 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)



Reference
RTS/TSGS-0122146vf00
Keywords
GSM,LTE,UMTS
ETSI
650 Route des Lucioles
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - FRANCE

Tel.: [phone]  Fax: [phone]

Siret N° 348 623 562 00017 - NAF 742 C
Association à but non lucratif enregistrée à la
Sous-Préfecture de Grasse (06) N° 7803/88

Important notice
The present document can be downloaded from:
http://www.etsi.org/standards-search
The present document may be made available in electronic versions and/or in print. The content of any electronic and/or
print versions of the present document shall not be modified without the prior written authorization of ETSI. In case of any
existing or perceived difference in contents between such versions and/or in print, the prevailing version of an ETSI
deliverable is the one made publicly available in PDF format at www.etsi.org/deliver.
Users of the present document should be aware that the document may be subject to revision or change of status.
Information on the current status of this and other ETSI documents is available at
https://portal.etsi.org/TB/ETSIDeliverableStatus.aspx
If you find errors in the present document, please send your comment to one of the following services:
https://portal.etsi.org/People/CommiteeSupportStaff.aspx
Copyright Notification
No part may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
and microfilm except as authorized by written permission of ETSI.
The content of the PDF version shall not be modified without the written authorization of ETSI.
The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.

© ETSI 2019.
All rights reserved.

DECT™, PLUGTESTS™, UMTS™ and the ETSI logo are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members.

3GPP™ and LTE™ are trademarks of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and
of the 3GPP Organizational Partners.
oneM2M™ logo is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members and
of the oneM2M Partners.
®
GSM and the GSM logo are trademarks registered and owned by the GSM Association.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 2 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Trademarks
The present document may include trademarks and/or tradenames which are asserted and/or registered by their owners.
ETSI claims no ownership of these except for any which are indicated as being the property of ETSI, and conveys no
right to use or reproduce any trademark and/or tradename. Mention of those trademarks in the present document does
not constitute an endorsement by ETSI of products, services or organizations associated with those trademarks.
Legal Notice
This Technical Specification (TS) has been produced by ETSI 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The present document may refer to technical specifications or reports using their 3GPP identities. These shall be
interpreted as being references to the corresponding ETSI deliverables.
The cross reference between 3GPP and ETSI identities can be found under http://webapp.etsi.org/key/queryform.asp.
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 3 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 2
Legal Notice . 2
Modal verbs terminology . 2
Foreword . 4
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 References . 5
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 5
3.1 Definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviations . 6
4 General description of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) . 7
4.1 MBMS broadcast mode . 7
4.2 MBMS multicast mode . 8
4.2.1 Multicast subscription and reception . 9
4.3 Discovery and announcement of MBMS services . 10
5 High level requirements . 10
5.1 Broadcast mode . 10
5.1.1 Home environment requirements . 10
5.1.2 User requirements for MBMS . 11
5.2 Multicast mode . 12
5.2.1 Home environment requirements . 12
5.2.2 User requirements for MBMS . 13
5.3 Availability . 14
6 Security. 14
7 Charging . 14
7.1 Broadcast mode . 14
7.2 Multicast mode . 14
Annex A (informative):  MBMS Bit Rates . 16
Annex B (informative): Change history . 17
History . 19

ETSI

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 4 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
Foreword
rd
This Technical Specification has been produced by the 3 Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The contents of the present document are subject to continuing work within the TSG and may change following formal
TSG approval. Should the TSG modify the contents of the present document, it will be re-released by the TSG with an
identifying change of release date and an increase in version number as follows:
Version x.y.z
where:
x the first digit:
1 presented to TSG for information;
2 presented to TSG for approval;
3 or greater indicates TSG approved document under change control.
y the second digit is incremented for all changes of substance, i.e. technical enhancements, corrections,
updates, etc.
z the third digit is incremented when editorial only changes have been incorporated in the document.
Introduction
Broadcast and Multicast are methods for transmitting data-grams from a single source to several destinations (point-to-
multipoint). To date, release-4 and release-99 define two services in this respect:
A cell broadcast service (CBS) allowing for low bit-rate data to be transmitted to all subscribers in a set of given cells
over a shared broadcast channel. This service offers a message-based service [5,6]
An IP-Multicast service allowing for mobile subscribers to receive multicast traffic. This service does not allow for
multiple subscribers to share radio or core network resources and as such does not offer any advantages as far as
resource utilization within the PLMN and over the radio access network. [3,4]
It is envisaged that for some applications, multiple users can receive the same data at the same time. The benefit of
multicast and broadcast in the network is that the data is sent once on each link. For example, an SGSN will send data
once to an RNC regardless of the number of Node Bs and UEs that wish to receive it. The benefit of multicast and
broadcast on the air interface is that many users can receive the same data on a common channel, thus not clogging up
the air interface with multiple transmissions of the same data.
With increasing use of high bandwidth applications in third generation mobile systems, especially with a large number
of users receiving the same high data rate services, efficient information distribution is essential. Thus, broadcast and
multicast are techniques to decrease the amount of data within the network and use resources more efficiently
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 5 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
1 Scope
This Technical specification defines the stage one description of the Broadcast and Multicast Services for the 3GPP
System. Stage one is the set of requirements which shall be supported for the provision of Broadcast and Multicast
services, seen primarily from the subscriber’s and service providers’ points of view.
Note:   Non-3GPP access systems may provide MBMS transport service, but this is not in the scope of this
specification.
This TS includes information applicable to network operators, content providers, and terminal and network manufacturers.
This TS contains the core requirements for Multicast and Broadcast Services, which are sufficient to provide a complete
service.
2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.
• References are either specific (identified by date of publication, edition number, version number, etc.) or
non-specific.
• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.
• For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies. In the case of a reference to a 3GPP document (including
a GSM document), a non-specific reference implicitly refers to the latest version of that document in the same
Release as the present document.
[1] 3GPP TR 21.905: “Vocabulary for 3GPP Specifications ".
[2] RFC 1112: "Host extensions for IP multicasting", RFC 1920:" Internet official protocol standards",
RFC 1458: "Requirements for multicast protocols", RFC 1301: "Multicast transport protocol"
[3] 3GPP TS 22.060: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description; Stage 1".
[4] 3GPP TS 23.060: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description; Stage 2".
[5] 3GPP TS 25.324: “Broadcast/Multicast Control BMC”
[6] 3GPP TS 23.041: “Technical Realization of Cell Broadcast Service (CBS)”
[7] 3GPP TS 22.246: "MBMS User Services".

3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the definitions in 3GPP TR 21.905 [1] as well as the following definitions
apply.
Broadcast service area: The area in which a specific broadcast service is available. It is defined individually per
broadcast service. The broadcast service area may represent the coverage area of the entire PLMN, or part(s) of the
PLMN’s coverage area. The broadcast service area is the sum of all local broadcast areas offering the same service.
Local Broadcast Area: The area of a broadcast service, where the service content is the same. One broadcast service
may have different content in different local broadcast areas.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 6 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
Broadcast mode: The part of MBMS that supports broadcast services.
Broadcast service: A unidirectional point-to-multipoint service in which data is efficiently transmitted from a single
source to multiple UEs in the associated broadcast service area. Broadcast services may be received by all users who
have enabled the specific broadcast service locally on their UE and who are in the broadcast area defined for the
service.
Broadcast session: A continuous and time-bounded reception of a broadcast service by the UE. A single broadcast
service can only have one broadcast session at any time. A broadcast service may consist of multiple successive
broadcast sessions.
Mobile Station (MS): Defined in 3GPP TS 24.002. (The abbreviation "UE" in this specification refers both to MS and
User Equipment.)
Multicast transmission activation: The process by which the network activates the transmission of Multicast data.
Multicast service area: The area in which a specific multicast service is available. It is defined individually per
multicast service. The multicast service area may represent the coverage area of an entire PLMN, or part(s) of the
PLMN’s coverage area. The multicast service area is the sum of all local multicast areas offering the same service.
Local multicast area: The area of a multicast service, where the service content is the same. One multicast service may
have different content in different local multicast areas.
Multicast mode: The part of MBMS that supports multicast services.
Multicast joining: The process by which a user joins a multicast group.
Multicast session: A continuous and time-bounded reception of a multicast service by the UE. A single multicast
service can only have one multicast session at any time. A multicast service may consist of multiple successive
multicast sessions.
Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS): A unidirectional point-to-multipoint service in which data is
transmitted from a single source entity to a group of users in a specific area. The MBMS has two modes: Broadcast
mode and Multicast mode.
Multicast group: A group of users that have an activated MBMS in multicast mode and therefore are ready to or are
receiving data transmitted by this service. The multicast group is a subset of the Multicast subscription group.
Multicast subscription group members may join the corresponding multicast group.
Multicast service: A unidirectional point-to-multipoint service in which data is efficiently transmitted from a single
source to a multicast group in the associated multicast service area. Multicast services can only be received by such
users that are subscribed to the specific multicast service and have joined the multicast group associated with the
specific service.
Multicast subscription: The process by which a user subscribes or is subscribed to a multicast subscription group and
thereby is authorised to join certain multicast services. Multicast subscription is performed either upon user selection or
due to home environment initiation.
Multicast Subscription Group: A group of users who are subscribed to a certain MBMS in multicast mode and
therefore authorised to join and receive multicast services associated with this group.
User Equipment: defined in TS 21.905. An occurrence of a User Equipment is an MS for GSM as defined in TS
24.002.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
MBMS Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service
MS Mobile Station
UE User Equipment

ETSI

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 7 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
4 General description of a multimedia
broadcast/multicast service (MBMS)
Point to multipoint services exist today which allow data from a single source entity to be transmitted to multiple
endpoints. These services are expected to be used extensively over wireless networks, hence there is a need for a
capability in the PLMN to efficiently support them. The Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) will provide
this capability for such broadcast/multicast services provided by the home environment and other VASPs.
The MBMS is a unidirectional point to multipoint bearer service in which data is transmitted from a single source entity
to multiple recipients. It is anticipated that other services will use these bearer capabilities.
MBMS also enables an IMS application located on an application server to send multimedia to a set of IMS users in the
service area by means of MBMS bearer service.
3GPP has defined two modes of operation:
- the broadcast mode
- the multicast mode.
4.1 MBMS broadcast mode
The broadcast mode is a unidirectional point-to-multipoint transmission of multimedia data (e.g. text, audio, picture,
video) from a single source entity to all users in a broadcast service area. The broadcast mode is intended to efficiently
use radio/network resources e.g. data is transmitted over a common radio channel. Data is transmitted in the broadcast
service area as defined by the network (Home environment).
MBMS data transmission should adapt to different RAN capabilities or different radio resource availability, e.g. by
reducing the bitrate of the MBMS data. The selection and description of an appropriate mechanism is subject to MBMS
stage 2.
Figure 1 gives an example of how a network can be configured to broadcast a variety of high bit rate services to users
within the associated broadcast service area.
A broadcast service received by the UE, involves one or more successive broadcast sessions. A broadcast service might,
for example, consist of a single on-going session (e.g. a media stream) or may involve several intermittent sessions over
an extended period of time (e.g. messages).

Multimedia

Services
-  QoS handling
Multimedia
  Broadcast
-  VASP Authentication
Broadcast
   Capable
Service
     UTRAN/ - Broadcast Area
Area
GERAN Configuration

Operator

Specific
- Provisioning control
Broadcast Data
Services


-
Internet

Hosted

Services
IP Multimedia
Subsystem

Figure 1: Example of Multicast Broadcast Mode Network
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 8 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
The broadcast mode should not be confused with the existing Cell Broadcast service (CBS) which is currently used for
low bit rate services (messaging) whilst the broadcast mode enables the broadcast of multimedia services (Audio, Video
etc).
An example of a service using the broadcast mode could be advertising or a welcome message to the network. As not
all users attached to the network may wish to receive these messages then the user shall be able to enable/disable the
reception of these broadcast service on his UE.
The broadcast mode differs from the multicast mode in that there is no specific requirement to activate or subscribe to
the MBMS in broadcast mode.
The broadcast mode should allow terminals to minimise their power consumption.
It is expected that charging data for the end user will not be generated for this mode at MBMS Transport Service layer.
Charging data related to security procedures for the end user at MBMS User Service layer may be generated, cf. clause
7. The reception of the traffic in the broadcast mode is not guaranteed. The receiver may be able to recognize data loss.
4.2 MBMS multicast mode
The multicast mode allows the unidirectional point-to-multipoint transmission of multimedia data (e.g. text, audio,
picture, video) from a single source point to a multicast group in a multicast service area. The multicast mode is
intended to efficiently use radio/network resources e.g. data is transmitted over a common radio channel. Data is
transmitted in the multicast service area as defined by the network (Home environment). In the multicast mode there is
the possibility for the network to selectively transmit to cells within the multicast service area which contain members
of a multicast group.
MBMS data transmission should adapt to different RAN capabilities or different radio resource availability, e.g. by
reducing the bitrate of the MBMS data. The selection and description of an appropriate mechanism is subject to MBMS
stage 2.
A multicast service received by the UE, involves one or more successive multicast sessions. A multicast service might,
for example, consist of a single on-going session (e.g. a multimedia stream) or may involve several intermittent
multicast sessions over an extended period of time (e.g. messages).
An example of a service using the multicast mode could be a football results service for which a subscription is
required.
Unlike the broadcast mode, the multicast mode generally requires a subscription to the multicast subscription group and
then the user joining the corresponding multicast group. The subscription and group joining may be made by the PLMN
operator, the user or a third party on their behalf (e.g. company). Unlike the broadcast mode, it is expected that charging
data for the end user will be generated for this mode at MBMS Transport Service layer. Charging data related to
security procedures for the end user at MBMS User Service layer may be generated, cf. clause 7.
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 9 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
  Multimedia
- QoS handling     Services

Multicast
- Service
  Capable
 Provisioning
    UTRAN
Multicast

GERAN
Subscription
- Subscription
Group Operator
  Service synchronisation  Handling
Specific

Services
- Efficient routing
 User-initiated activation

- Activation

Multicast Data Stream Movie/Music
IP
- Multicast area
Streaming
  Control Network
Live web

casting

TV
news/sports/
IP
Advertising
Multimedia
subsystem

Figure 2: Example of Multicast Mode Network
Reception of multicast services cannot be guaranteed over the access network. For many applications and services
guaranteed data reception may be carried out by higher layer services or applications which make use of MBMS.
Multicast mode should allow terminals to minimise their power consumption.
The multicast mode defined in this specification should not be confused with IP Multicast (RFC s 1112, 1301, 1458,
1920 [2]). There are similarities between these two services and such similarities may be exploited in 3GPP networks
given that 3GPP multicast mode has been defined with consideration to maximizing efficiency on the radio interface
and of network resources.
Multicast mode shall be inter-operable with IETF IP Multicast. This could allow the best use of IP service platforms to
help maximize the availability of applications and content so that current and future services can be delivered in a more
resource efficient manner. Figure 2 above shows a general high level overview of multicast mode network.
4.2.1 Multicast subscription and reception
The following is the expected sequence for the user to be able to access the MBMS multicast mode:
1 The user subscribes or is subscribed to a multicast subscription group which is uniquely identified and thereby
becomes a member of that group. The subscription may be continuous (e.g. as defined by the subscriber's
contract), time-limited, or generated by the subscriber on a one-time basis. The subscription to multicast services
shall not be further standardized.
2 The user discovers, or becomes aware (e.g. via service announcements), that there are multicast services
currently active, or multicast services that will become active at some time later, at the user's current location.
3a) The user selects a multicast service and hence the user joins the corresponding multicast group. The user should
be able to join a multicast service as soon as possible after announcement of the service.
3b) As an alternative, the Home Environment can join the user to the selected multicast group on behalf of the user,
that has previously subscribed to this multicast group.
 Signalling exchange between the UE and the network might not be necessary in some cases, e.g. in the case of
network congestion.
4 If the transmission is not already in progress the network starts transmitting the corresponding multicast content.
Alternatively, the transmission may start at a later time.
5 The network may optionally select to set up unicast (point to point) connections to some users e.g. if there are
insufficient users to justify multicasting
ETSI

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
3GPP TS 22.146 version 15.0.0 Release 15 10 ETSI TS 122 146 V15.0.0 (2019-07)
6 The UE starts receiving the multicast data associated with the multicast group(s) it has joined
7 The user may choose to stop receiving a selected multicast service and thereby leaves the multicast group. The
user may also select to continue (or not) to receive service announcements for this multicast subscription group.
8 The user may unsubscribe or be unsubscribed from the multicast subscription group and stop receiving both the
multicast data and future service announcements for this multicast subscription group.
The home environment shall be able to remove a user from a multicast group (deactivation) and if required remove the
subscriber from the multicast subscription group (un-subscription). This is required to allow the operator to bar service.
4.3 Discovery and announcement of MBMS services
The user shall be able to find out or be informed about MBMS services available in the network. The network shall
support service announcements both for the broadcast and multicast mode of MBMS in order to enable the user to be
informed about the MBMS services available currently, or some time later. Users should also be able to discover and
monitor MBMS service availability e.g. using a URL.
5 High level requirements
5.1 Broadcast mode
5.1.1 Home environment requirements
- Broadcast services
The PLMN operator shall be able to provision one or more broadcast services within his PLMN.
The operators sharing a network shall be able to provide one or more broadcast services for their own
subscribers and inbound roamers from roaming partners only. This shall be applicable for sharing of radio
network and for sharing of radio network and the core network entities connected to the radio network.
A broadcast area is configured individually for each broadcast service. Broadcast areas associated with di
...