Mobile TV Services in 3G Networks

This industrial paper describes concepts for delivery of Mobile TV services in 3G networks. Mobile TV is a key service for mobile devices. One system technology for the delivery of Mobile TV services are 3G cellular networks. Although Mobile TV is often associated with broadcast transmission, unicast technology is sufficient in many cases, especially since mobile users prefer to access content on-demand, rather than following a fixed schedule. In order to further optimize the system, 3GPP has defined a broadcast extension for 3G networks, called Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS). MBMS uses broadcast bearers on the radio transmission and has thus the capabilities of a real broadcast technology. On top of MBMS, additional application and service layer technologies are required, like electronic service guide and service protection. In order to optimize a system for delivery of broadcast services over 3G networks, the advantages of MBMS/broadcast and unicast should be combined, by integrating them into a hybrid delivery system.