Identification of MBMS service from a central node to UMTS LTE eNBs

1. A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of packet data streams respectively associated with a plurality of multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS), each packet being associated with a timestamp;

mapping the packets to transport blocks such that packets associated with the same timestamp are mapped to the same transport block, and such that packets associated with different multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) are mapped to the same transport block, each transport block having a header;

adding a service identifier to the header of only a first packet and a last packet of each transport block, the service identifier identifying the multimedia broadcast multicast service MBMS associated with each packet mapped to the transport block; and

transmitting the transport blocks to a plurality of wireless users via a wireless interface, the transport blocks being transmitted after the packets have been mapped to the transport blocks and after the service identifier has been added to the header of each transport block.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver to receive a data stream of packets associated with a service;

an assignment unit to assign a service identifier to only a first packet and a last packet of the data stream, each service identifier identifying a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) associated with the respective packet; and

a transmitter to communicate the packets to a user in a system enabling communication of multiple data streams in a transmission.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the service identifier is based on information regarding a node associated with communication of the packets to the user.

4. The n apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the service identifier is based on an identity of at least one of a central node configured to communicate the data stream to an access system, a controller of the access system, and a user equipment.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the service identifier comprises a temporary mobile group identity.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the service identifier is communicated in a packet also including at least one of a timestamp and accumulated byte information.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the receiver, the assignment unit and the transmitter are provided in a node that controls communication of broadcasting and/or multicasting the service.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the node comprises a multimedia broadcast multicast services entity.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the receiver, the assignment unit and the transmitter are provided in a controller for a wireless access system.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the controller is provided in an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the assignment unit processes service identifier information received in an IP packet and labels the packet accordingly before transmission on an air interface.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein

the packets are mapped to and transmitted within a segmented and concatenated transport block, and

the assignment unit includes the service identifier with a start indication for each packet within the transport block.

13. A communication device comprising:

a receiver to receive packets associated with at least one service in a transmission comprising multiple data streams; and

an association device to associate the packets with the respective at least one service based on a respective service identifier, each service identifier identifying a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) associated with the respective packet, each service identifier being included in only a first packet and a last packet of the respective data stream.

14. The communication device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the service identifier is based on information regarding a node associated with communication of the packets from a data source to the communication device.

15. The communication device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein

the packets are received in a segmented and concatenated transport block,

the service identifier includes a start indication for each packet, and

the service identifier is interpreted from the start indication.

16. A method for communicating data packets associated with at least one service to at least one user in a system enabling communication of multiple data streams in a transmission, the method comprising:

receiving in a node data packets associated with a service from a data source;

assigning the received data packets with a service identifier, each service identifier identifying a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) associated with the respective packet, each service identifier being included in only a first packet and a last packet of the respective data stream; and

communicating the data packets with the service identifier from the node.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising generating the service identifier based on information regarding a node associated with communication of the packets to the at least one user.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the service identifier is based on an identity of at least one of a central node configured to communicate the data stream to an access system, a controller of the access system, and a user equipment.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the service identifier comprises a temporary mobile group identity.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising communicating the service identifier with at least one of a timestamp and accumulated byte information.

21. The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the step of assigning is provided in one of a node for controlling communication of broadcasting and/or multicasting the service and a controller for a wireless access system.

22. The method as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising:

receiving service identifier information in an IP packet;

labeling the packet with the service identifier information before transmission of the packet; and

multiplexing the packet into a transmission on an air interface.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21 , wherein

the packets are mapped to and transmitted within a segmented and concatenated transport block, and

the service identifier is included with a start indication for each packet within the transport block.

24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing a program to control a computer to perform the method of claim 22 .

25. A method for using data associated with at least one service, comprising:

receiving a transmission comprising multiple data streams in a communication device, the transmission comprising packets associated with at least one service; and

associating the packets with the respective at least one service based on a respective service identifier included in the transmission, each service identifier identifying a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) associated with the respective packet, each service identifier being included in only a first packet and a last packet of the respective data stream.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the service identifier is based on information regarding a node associated with communication of the packets from a data source to the communication device.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 , further comprising:

receiving the packets in a segmented and concatenated transport block; and

obtaining a start indication for each packet from the service identifier.

28. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium containing a program to control a computer to perform the method of claim 26 .