A method for providing VPLS service in a bridged (e.g. 802.1D) network of a service provider includes configuring the bridged network. Each ingress port of a bridging network element is assigned a port VLAN ID (PVID). The ingress ports are further configured to associate their respective PVID with data frames entering such ingress ports. Further, each VLAN ID is assigned a group membership where a frame is forwarded from an ingress port only to those ports that share group membership with this ingress port.