A communication system conveys Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) data to multiple mobile stations (MSs) subscribing to an MBMS service while minimizing possible congestion over an Iub interface. A network controller receives at least one MBMS data packet comprising an MBMS payload. In response to receiving the at least one data packet, the network controller establishes communication channels to the multiple MSs for conveyance of MBMS data and conveys to a downstream network element, via an Iub interface, a single copy of the payload. The downstream network element replicates the received payload to produce a copy of the payload for each established communication channel. The downstream network element then assembles, in association with each established communication channel, a set of one or more data packets for conveyance via the established communication channel, wherein each set of data packets includes a copy of the payload.
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