Point-to-Multipoint Delivery in 5G-Advanced Networks Using Dual-Mode Multicast

3GPP is currently working on finalizing Release-18 specifications to add new capabilities to 5G that will address new services and verticals, specifically in the context of support for multicast traffic. One of the key enhancements currently being done relates to the support for multicast transmissions, with a key focus on support for reception by UEs in inactive mode. In this work, we present a concept called dual-mode multicast, which enables possible improvements to physical layer procedures for multicast traffic delivery with near-unicast level of reliability for connected mode UEs, as well as support for inactive UEs. We also present some performance results which evaluate the impact on spectral efficiency and packet loss rate with the use of dual mode multicast, in comparison to the currently defined multicast for connected mode UEs.