The present invention discloses a method for activating a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) comprising the steps: a. sending a message which carries MBMS bearer capabilities of a user equipment (UE) from the UE to a SGSN which the UE belongs to after passing authorization; b. verifying whether the MBMS bearer capabilities of the UE are less than Required MBMS Bearer Capabilities, if the SGSN has the Required MBMS Bearer Capabilities; and c. rejecting a request for activating an MBMS Context if the MBMS bearer capabilities of the UE are less than the Required MBMS Bearer Capabilities, or creating an MBMS UE Context if the MBMS bearer capabilities of the UE are not less than the Required MBMS Bearer Capabilities. The method can simplify the signaling interaction between the network entities, reduce the network complexity and save the network resources.