An idle mode counting procedure for Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) systems operating in accordance with a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication specification includes sending an idle mode downlink message with an idle mode counting request identifying a PTM compatible service. The idle mode downlink message can be received by wireless communication devices in idle mode and includes an idle mode counting request identifying a PTM compatible service. Idle mode counting request response messages are received from wireless communication devices where the idle mode counting request response messages are transmitted by wireless communication devices that were in the idle mode at the time the downlink message was sent. Each idle mode counting request response message indicates that the communication device sending the idle mode counting request response message should be counted for the PTM compatible service.