Point-to-multipoint communication (telecommunications)

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For general information for point-to-multipoint communication, refer to point-to-multipoint link.

Point-to-multipoint communication is a term that is used in the telecommunications field which refers to communication which is accomplished via a specific and distinct type of multipoint connection, providing multiple paths from a single location to multiple locations^[1].

Point-to-multipoint is often abbreviated as P2MP, PTMP, or PMP.

Point-to-multipoint telecommunications is most typically (2003) used in wireless Internet and IP Telephony via gigahertz radio frequencies. P2MP systems have been designed both as single and bi-directional systems. A central antenna or antenna array broadcasts to several receiving antennas and the system uses a form of Time-division Multiplexing to allow for the back-channel traffic.