Shared MBMS Carrier Access for Non-Subscriber UEs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, such as LTE, require mobile network operator (MNO) subscriptions for users to receive Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) content, limiting access for non-subscribers and inefficiently utilizing shared radio resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable User Equipment (UE) to acquire and receive MBMS services on a shared carrier across multiple MNOs without subscription, using a shared MBMS SDL carrier or standalone shared carrier, allowing control information and service reception through a primary cell (PCell) and secondary cell (SCell), and enabling frame timing and SIB acquisition without prior PSS and SSS reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MNO subscription is required to receive MBMS content, then network security and service control are improved, but service accessibility and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a subscription management entity and authentication mechanism as intermediaries between the UE and MBMS service. The UE can receive MBMS content without traditional MNO subscription by authenticating through the intermediary system, which verifies eligibility and grants access rights. This mediator approach maintains network security while enabling broader service accessibility.
2Reliability
If dedicated carriers are allocated to each MNO for MBMS service, then service quality and reliability are improved, but radio resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multiple MNOs to share common MBMS carriers through a unified service delivery mechanism. Instead of allocating separate dedicated carriers to each MNO, the system merges resource utilization by allowing UEs to receive MBMS content on shared carriers from any participating MNO. This combining approach improves radio resource utilization efficiency while maintaining service quality through coordinated multi-operator delivery.
3Device complexity
If UEs must be subscribers to receive MBMS service, then network control and service management are improved, but market penetration and service adoption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal MBMS access mechanism where the service can be received by UEs regardless of their MNO subscription status. The system implements multi-functionality by allowing the same MBMS infrastructure to serve both subscribed and non-subscribed UEs through different authentication paths. This universal approach simplifies service management while dramatically increasing service adoption rate and market penetration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for delivering content to end user via shared broadcast are provided. The apparatus may be a UE that determines to acquire a MBMS service. The UE tunes to a frequency provided by a first MNO to which the UE is not a subscriber in order to receive the MBMS service via a carrier shared by the first MNO and at least one other MNO. The UE receives the MBMS service on the frequency via the carrier shared by the first MNO and the at least one other MNO. The shared carrier may have a common SFN timing with respect to the first MNO and the at least one other MNO. The shared carrier may include a shared MBMS SDL carrier. The shared carrier may include a standalone shared carrier for receiving the MBMS service and control information associated with the MBMS service.