# US 2014/0192698 A1 · Selectively adjusting a rate or delivery format of media being delivered to one or more multicast/broadcast single frequency networks for transmission

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- Number: US 2014/0192698 A1
- Document ID: US20140192698A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/146,608
- Filed: 2014-01-02
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04
- Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Inventors: Kirankumar ANCHAN; Arvind SANTHANAM; Yih-Hao LIN
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192698A1

## CPC

- H04W 4/06: Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
- H04L 1/0002: {by adapting the transmission rate}
- H04L 2001/0093: {Point-to-multipoint}
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

In an embodiment, a first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate than a lower data rate portion of a second MBSFN area, and an application server executes a common data rate mode by delivering a data stream for a group session to the first and second MBSFN areas via IP multicast at a common data rate that is regulated by quality feedback. In a further embodiment, the application server exits the common data rate mode and delivers the data stream to the first MBSFN area via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate that is higher than the common data rate, while delivering the data stream to the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area via IP unicast. In another further embodiment, the application server resumes the common data rate mode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating an application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
obtaining a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
providing the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate;
obtaining quality feedback related to the group communication session from one or more target user equipments (UEs) within the first and second MBSFN areas;
updating the common data rate in response to the quality feedback; and
continuing to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the updated common data rate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the group communication session is an Evolved Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (eMBMS) session.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first MBSFN area and the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area border each other at least in part.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the first MBSFN area is partially or fully surrounded by the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the first MBSFN area provides coverage to a substantially urban environment and the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area provides coverage to a substantially non-urban environment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the quality feedback is obtained from each of the one or more target UEs separately on a unicast channel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1,
wherein the data stream is provided to the first and second MBSFN areas over a first path that is configured for multicast and/or broadcast traffic, and
wherein the quality feedback is provided from each of the one or more target UEs over a second path configured for unicast traffic that is different from the first path.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7,
wherein the first path includes a logical bearer manager, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, an enhanced Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services gateway (E-MBMS-GW) of an LTE network serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a mobility management entity (MME) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the second path includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a packet gateway (P-GW) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a serving gateway (S-GW) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and the one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the quality feedback includes an indication of packet error rate (PER), block error rate (BLER) and/or signal strength for the group communication session.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1,
wherein the first MBSFN area overlaps with the second MBSFN area in an overlapping MBSFN region,
wherein both the first and second MBSFN areas are configured to support the higher data rate in the overlapping MBSFN region, and
wherein the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area includes a section of the second MBSFN area that is outside of the overlapping MBSFN region and is not part of the first MBSFN area.

### Claim 11

A method of operating an application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
obtaining a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
detecting that the first and second MBSFN areas are both currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session;
providing the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate in response to the detection;
determining to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
providing, in response to the determination, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate that is higher than the common data rate; and
providing, in response to the determination, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising:
receiving, during the group communication session, location reports from target UEs in the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the determination is based upon the location reports indicating that a number of target UEs in the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is below a threshold.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12,
wherein the data stream is provided to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the common data rate over a first path that is configured for multicast and/or broadcast traffic, and
wherein the location reports are received from each of the target UEs over a second path configured for unicast traffic that is different from the first path.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13,
wherein the first path includes a logical bearer manager, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, an enhanced Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services gateway (E-MBMS-GW) of an LTE network serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a mobility management entity (MME) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the second path includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a packet gateway (P-GW) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a serving gateway (S-GW) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and the one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the group communication session is an Evolved Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (eMBMS) session.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the first MBSFN area and the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area border each other at least in part.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the first MBSFN area is partially or fully surrounded by the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the first MBSFN area provides coverage to a substantially urban environment and the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area provides coverage to a substantially non-urban environment.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11,
wherein the data stream is provided to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at the MBSFN-specific data rate over a first path that is configured for multicast and/or broadcast traffic, and
wherein the data stream is provided to the one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area for transmission via IP unicast over a second path that is configured for unicast traffic.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19,
wherein the first path includes a logical bearer manager, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, an enhanced Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services gateway (E-MBMS-GW) of an LTE network serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a mobility management entity (MME) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the second path includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a packet gateway (P-GW) serving the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area, a serving gateway (S-GW) serving the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area and at least one eNodeB serving the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area.

### Claim 21 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11,
wherein the first MBSFN area overlaps with the second MBSFN area in an overlapping MBSFN region,
wherein both the first and second MBSFN areas are configured to support the higher data rate in the overlapping MBSFN region, and
wherein the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area includes a section of the second MBSFN area that is outside of the overlapping MBSFN region and is not part of the first MBSFN area.

### Claim 22 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area back to the multicast support mode for the group communication session; and
providing, in response to the determination to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area back to the multicast support mode, the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the common data rate in response to the detection.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22,
wherein the determination to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area back to the multicast support mode for the group communication session includes:
receiving, during the group communication session after the determination to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to the unicast support mode, location reports from target UEs in the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that indicate that a number of the target UEs in the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is not below a threshold.

### Claim 24

A method of operating an application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
obtaining a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
detecting that the first MBSFN area is currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session and that the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is currently operating in a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
providing, in response to the detection, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate; and
providing, in response to the detection, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE;
determining to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to the multicast support mode for the group communication session; and
providing the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate that is lower than the MBSFN-specific data rate in response to the determination.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
receiving, during the group communication session, location reports from one or more target UEs in the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the determination is based upon the location reports indicating that a number of target UEs in the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is not below a threshold.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24,
wherein the data stream is provided to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the common data rate over a first path that is configured for multicast and/or broadcast traffic, and
wherein the location reports are received from each of the target UEs over a second path configured for unicast traffic that is different from the first path.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26,
wherein the first path includes a logical bearer manager, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, an enhanced Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services gateway (E-MBMS-GW) of an LTE network serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a mobility management entity (MME) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the second path includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a packet gateway (P-GW) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a serving gateway (S-GW) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and the one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas.

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the group communication session is an Evolved Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (eMBMS) session.

### Claim 29 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the first MBSFN area and the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area border each other at least in part.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The method of claim 29, wherein the first MBSFN area is partially or fully surrounded by the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area.

### Claim 31 (depends on 29)

The method of claim 29, wherein the first MBSFN area provides coverage to a substantially urban environment and the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area provides coverage to a substantially non-urban environment.

### Claim 32 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24,
wherein the data stream is provided to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at the MBSFN-specific data rate over a first path that is configured for multicast and/or broadcast traffic, and
wherein the data stream is provided to the one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area for transmission via IP unicast over a second path that is configured for unicast traffic.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32,
wherein the first path includes a logical bearer manager, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, an enhanced Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services gateway (E-MBMS-GW) of an LTE network serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, a mobility management entity (MME) serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas and one or more eNodeBs serving the first and/or second MBSFN areas, and
wherein the second path includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a packet gateway (P-GW) serving the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area, a serving gateway (S-GW) serving the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area and at least one eNodeB serving the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area.

### Claim 34 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24,
wherein the first MBSFN area overlaps with the second MBSFN area in an overlapping MBSFN region,
wherein both the first and second MBSFN areas are configured to support the higher data rate in the overlapping MBSFN region, and
wherein the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area includes a section of the second MBSFN area that is outside of the overlapping MBSFN region and is not part of the first MBSFN area.

### Claim 35 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
determining to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area back to the unicast support mode for the group communication session; and
providing, in response to the determination to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area back to the unicast support mode, the data stream to at least one sector within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that is serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35,
wherein the determination to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area back to the unicast support mode for the group communication session includes:
receiving, during the group communication session after the determination to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to the multicast support mode, location reports from a set of target UEs in the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that indicate that a number of the target UEs in the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is below a threshold.

### Claim 37

An application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
means for obtaining a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
means for providing the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate;
means for obtaining quality feedback related to the group communication session from one or more target user equipments (UEs) within the first and second MBSFN areas;
means for updating the common data rate in response to the quality feedback; and
means for continuing to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the updated common data rate.

### Claim 38

An application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
means for obtaining a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
means for detecting that the first and second MBSFN areas are both currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session;
means for providing the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate in response to the detection;
means for determining to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
means for providing, in response to the determination, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate that is higher than the common data rate; and
means for providing, in response to the determination, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE.

### Claim 39

An application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
means for obtaining a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
means for detecting that the first MBSFN area is currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session and that the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is currently operating in a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
means for providing, in response to the detection, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate; and
means for providing, in response to the detection, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE;
means for determining to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to the multicast support mode for the group communication session; and
means for providing the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate that is lower than the MBSFN-specific data rate in response to the determination.

### Claim 40

An application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
logic configured to obtain a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
logic configured to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate;
logic configured to obtain quality feedback related to the group communication session from one or more target user equipments (UEs) within the first and second MBSFN areas;
logic configured to update the common data rate in response to the quality feedback; and
logic configured to continue to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the updated common data rate.

### Claim 41

An application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
logic configured to obtain a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
logic configured to detect that the first and second MBSFN areas are both currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session;
logic configured to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate in response to the detection;
logic configured to determine to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
logic configured to provide, in response to the determination, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate that is higher than the common data rate; and
logic configured to provide, in response to the determination, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE.

### Claim 42

An application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, comprising:
logic configured to obtain a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
logic configured to detect that the first MBSFN area is currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session and that the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is currently operating in a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
logic configured to provide, in response to the detection, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate; and
logic configured to provide, in response to the detection, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE;
logic configured to determine to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to the multicast support mode for the group communication session; and
logic configured to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate that is lower than the MBSFN-specific data rate in response to the determination.

### Claim 43

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by an application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, cause the application server to perform operations, the instructions comprising:
at least one instruction to cause the application server to obtain a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to obtain quality feedback related to the group communication session from one or more target user equipments (UEs) within the first and second MBSFN areas;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to update the common data rate in response to the quality feedback; and
at least one instruction to cause the application server to continue to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at the updated common data rate.

### Claim 44

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by an application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, cause the application server to perform operations, the instructions comprising:
at least one instruction to cause the application server to obtain a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to detect that the first and second MBSFN areas are both currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate in response to the detection;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to determine to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
logic configured to provide, in response to the determination, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate that is higher than the common data rate; and
logic configured to provide, in response to the determination, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE.

### Claim 45

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by an application server configured to deliver media to a plurality of multicast/broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) areas, cause the application server to perform operations, the instructions comprising:
at least one instruction to cause the application server to obtain a data stream for a group communication session for transmission by a first MBSFN area and by a second MBSFN area, wherein the first MBSFN area is configured to support a higher data rate for Internet Protocol (IP) multicast transmissions as compared to a lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to detect that the first MBSFN area is currently operating in a multicast support mode for the group communication session and that the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area is currently operating in a unicast support mode for the group communication session;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to provide, in response to the detection, the data stream to the first MBSFN area for transmission via IP multicast at an MBSFN-specific data rate; and
at least one instruction to cause the application server to provide, in response to the detection, the data stream to one or more sectors within the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area that are serving at least one target UE registered to the group communication session for transmission via IP unicast to the at least one target UE;
at least one instruction to cause the application server to determine to transition the lower data rate portion of the second MBSFN area to the multicast support mode for the group communication session; and
at least one instruction to cause the application server to provide the data stream to the first and second MBSFN areas for transmission via IP multicast at a common data rate that is lower than the MBSFN-specific data rate in response to the determination.