The present patent application provides a method, an apparatus, and a system for collaborative communication between a network device and two or more terminal devices. The network device receives a collaboration request from a first terminal device. The network device determines, according to the collaboration request, at least one second terminal device that may collaborate with the first terminal device in receiving downlink data. The network device sends an indication message to the first terminal device. The indication message instructs the first terminal device to receive a first part of the downlink data from the network device, and receive a second part of the downlink data, which is transmitted from the network device to the second terminal device, from the second terminal device.