A method and a
wireless telecommunication
system of performing network-assisted
handover of calls between a serving network and another
wireless network that employs communication protocols different from those of the serving network. A message is sent from a
mobile station of a user to the serving
wireless network, which includes an indication that the
mobile station is capable of communicating with the neighboring
wireless network. Information relating to the communication characteristics of the neighboring
wireless network is also sent from the serving
wireless network to the
mobile station. Using the information relating to the communication characteristics of the neighboring wireless network, the mobile
station receives radio signals from the neighboring wireless network. The quality of the radio signals between the mobile
station and the neighboring wireless network is measured. The serving wireless network sends a message to the neighboring wireless network to request a
handover of the communication transaction when the quality of the radio signals between the neighboring wireless network and the mobile
station meets a predetermined minimum threshold. Then a
handover of the communication transaction from the serving wireless network to the neighboring wireless network is executed after the neighboring wireless network has established a
communication channel for the mobile station pursuant to the handover request.