Multicast transmission in a cellular network

A system, comprising:

• a radio access network configured to transmit a multicast service notification to mobile stations belonging to a multicast group;
• in said mobile stations, a selector configured to select a moment for a response to said multicast service notification and further configured to send a presence report to the radio access network when the response moment arrives, wherein the radio access network is further configured to receive the presence reports;
• and
• a processor configured to establish radio resources for the multicast transmission in individual cells of a cellular network, wherein the processor is configured to establish the radio resources for a cell when the presence report received in the cell meets a predetermined criteria.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a multicast service notification informing of an upcoming multicast session;
• and
• a processor configured to select a moment for a response to said multicast service notification and further configured to send a presence report at the response moment;
• wherein the presence report indicates the willingness of the apparatus to receive the multicast service, and
• wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a notification informing of a presence report sent by another apparatus.

An apparatus, comprising:

• reception means for receiving a multicast service notification informing of an upcoming multicast session;
• and
• response means for selecting a moment for a response to said multicast service notification and for sending a presence report at the response moment,
• wherein the presence report indicates the willingness of the apparatus to receive the multicast service, and
• wherein the reception means are further for receiving a notification informing of a presence report sent by another apparatus.

A method, comprising:

• receiving a multicast service notification informing of an upcoming multicast session;
• selecting a moment for a response to said multicast service notification and further configured to send a presence report at the response moment;
• and
• receiving a notification informing of a presence report sent by another apparatus,
• wherein the presence report indicates the willingness of the apparatus to receive the multicast service.