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Research & Development

BBC MMXIII
Broadcast over LTE
Chris Nokes
BBC Research & Development
6
th
November 2013
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Research & Development
BBC MMXIII
Broadcast over LTE

Introduction
What is LTE Broadcast?
How could LTE broadcast be used?
Advantages
Summary
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BBC Interest
BBC has fantastic content
Trying to get to as many viewers as possible
Recently announced renewed focus on Live Events
BBC has always been an innovator
BBC R&D is at forefront of innovations
We are exploring Broadcast over LTE
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Background
Mobile TV propositions emerging


Mobile unicast streaming
has its limitations
Capacity constraints buffering
Data caps
Issue for video but also radio
Listening works when walking
Broadcasting is efficient
and can offer consistent QoS

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LTE can support broadcasting

eMBMS (LTE Broadcast)

Allocate parts of the LTE signal over to broadcast
One-to-many distribution
Option of Single Frequency Network support

Already standardised by 3GPP
Worldwide standard
Doesnt require a separate receiving chip in handset

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How could it be useful?
Streaming
(WiFi/Femto)
Streaming
(3G/4G/eMBMS)
Streaming
(WiFi/Femto)
Streaming
(3G/4G)
or
Side-loading
(WiFi/Femto)
i
n

h
o
m
e

o
u
t

o
f

h
o
m
e

linear/live
on demand
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How it works
LTE
Multiple unicast streams to
each handset within a cell
eMBMS
Single multicast stream to
every handset within a cell
eMBMS (MBSFN)
Single multicast stream to
every handset across multiple
cells
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How could it be implemented?
Hybrid and dynamic network
Deploy in congested areas; enable for peak demand
content

In-band
no spectrum sharing
single receiver

Out-of-band
Potentially more efficient
not yet standardised


MNO A MNO B MNO C
MNO A MNO B MNO C
eMBMS
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LTE Broadcast advantages
Why LTE Broadcast/eMBMS?
The time is right
Capable devices
Consumers becoming familiar with mobile video
Olympics has raised expectations
Significant untapped demand especially linear/live
eMBMS part of 3GPP standard
Chipset support
Towards universal implementation?
Network can be dynamically adapted according to demand
For example, at big sports/entertainment events
Potentially much more spectrally efficient than unicast
BBC content reaches more viewers more often
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Summary
BBC produces fantastic content
Video, radio and online
We are always keen to find new ways to reach our
audience
LTE supports broadcasting eMBMS
Works by allocating parts of an LTE signal to the
broadcast mode
Could be deployed as a hybrid, dynamic network
Doesnt require another receiver chip in handset
BBC R&D is currently exploring this opportunity

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Research & Development
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Thank you for listening
Any questions?
Chris Nokes
chris.nokes@bbc.co.uk