Method and apparatus for delivery of high rate data as part of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service

A radio access network (RAN) capable of providing a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS), the RAN comprising:

• a cellular Node B that conveys MBMS user information over an air interface via a low data rate channel;
• a Digital Video Broadcasting-Handhelds (DVB-H) Node B that conveys MBMS user information over an air interface via a high data rate channel;
• and
• a Radio Network Controller (RNC) that is coupled to each of the cellular Node B and the DVB-H Node B, that determines one or more of whether MBMS user information comprises low rate data, whether the MBMS user information comprises high rate data, and whether a high data rate connection can be established with a user equipment (UE) and, based on the one or more determinations, routes MBMS user information to one of the cellular Node B and the DVB-H Node B, wherein the Radio Network Controller (RNC) is configured to determine whether the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) user information comprises low rate data, whether the MBMS user information comprises high rate data, and whether a high data rate connection can be established with a user equipment (UE), wherein in response to determining one or more of the MBMS user information comprises low rate data or a high data rate connection cannot be established with the UE, the RNC routes the MBMS user information to the cellular Node B, and wherein in response to determining that the MBMS user information comprises high rate data and that a high data rate connection can be established with the UE, the RNC routes the MBMS user information to the Digital Broadcasting Video-Handhelds Node B.