A method to control a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) mode of a MBMS session in a communication system is provided herein. In operation, a first network element that is located outside a radio access network determines to use one of a single frequency network MBMS mode and a single cell MBMS mode for the MBMS session based on a property of the MBMS session. The first network element then transmits a session control signaling message to a second network element that is located inside the radio access network. The session control signaling message instructs the second network element that user plane data for the MBMS session shall be transmitted using the determined MBMS mode. The base stations then transmit the user plane data to one or user equipments in a target service area according to the determined MBMS mode.