Partial combining method and apparatus for multimedia broadcast/multicast service

An apparatus for performing partial combining on a desired Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) service by a user equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system supporting an MBMS service, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver for receiving partial combinable information indicating whether a desired MBMS service is partial combinable between a physical channel of a primary cell where the UE is located and physical channels of neighboring cells;
• a reception controller for determining whether a partial combining of the physical channel of the primary cell with the physical channels of the neighboring cells, according to the partial combinable information, is possible;
• physical channel receivers for, if the partial combining is possible, receiving MBMS service signals of the desired MBMS service through the physical channel of the primary cell and the partial-combinable physical channels of the neighboring cells;
• and
• a combiner for combining the received MBMS service signals.

A method for supporting partial combining on a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) service that a user equipment (UE) desires to receive, in a mobile communication system supporting an MBMS service, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating partial combinable information indicating whether a desired MBMS service of the UE is partial combinable between a physical channel of a primary cell where the UE is located and physical channels of neighboring cells;
• transmitting the generated partial combinable information;
• and
• simultaneously transmitting MBMS service signals of the desired MBMS service through the physical channel of the primary cell and the partial-combinable physical channels of the neighboring cells, at a transmission start time of the desired MBMS service.