ISO/IEC 24793-1:2010

Overview

ISO/IEC 24793-1:2010 - Information technology - Mobile multicast communications: Framework - Part 1 defines the framework and functional architecture for mobile multicast communications (MMC). The standard targets real-time, one-to-many multicast services over IP-based wireless and fixed networks, emphasizing timely delivery and authenticated participation in multicast sessions. This Part 1 document sets out design considerations, network models, functional entities and high-level information flows that guide subsequent protocol specifications (e.g., protocol over native IP multicast and protocol over overlay multicast networks).

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope and focus: MMC is intended for real-time one-to-many multicast (single sender) rather than broadcast, many-to-many, or fully reliable multicast.
• Authentication requirement: Only authenticated users are permitted to join MMC sessions.
• Timeliness over reliability: The standard prioritizes low-latency delivery suitable for live audio/video and interactive services.
• Network environments: Covers heterogeneous deployments including IP-based core networks and a mix of wireless access (WLAN, 3G/4G, BWA) and wired networks under Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC).
• Functional architecture: Defines functional entities (e.g., multicast agents, session managers, multicast content servers) and reference configurations for MMC operation.
• Information flows: Specifies high-level procedures for service subscription and announcement, session join/leave, multicast data transport, configuration of MMC agents, status monitoring, and mobility support (handover).
• Protocol applicability: Framework supports development of protocols for both native IP multicast networks and overlay multicast networks (unicast relay or tunneling where IP multicast is not fully supported).

Practical Applications

ISO/IEC 24793-1:2010 applies to services that require timely one-to-many delivery over mobile and converged networks, including:

• Mobile IPTV and live event streaming
• Remote education and distance learning
• Mobile commerce (m‑commerce) push sessions
• Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) and operator-managed multicast services

It is particularly relevant where users move between heterogeneous access networks and seamless multicast mobility support is required.

Who Should Use This Standard

• Network architects and operators planning multicast service delivery over mobile or converged networks.
• Protocol designers and implementers developing MMC protocols and agents.
• Equipment vendors building multicast-capable routers, base stations and mobile clients.
• Standards bodies and service developers aligning multicast services with NGN and FMC deployments.

Related Standards

ISO/IEC 24793-1:2010 references and aligns with related work such as ITU‑T X.603 / ISO/IEC 16512 (Relayed Multicast Protocol) and IETF multicast specifications (IGMP, MLD, PIM-SM). It complements mobile multicast efforts in 3GPP (MBMS) and 3GPP2 (BCMCS).