Abstract: In a communications network, a network user communicates using a remote unit with another user via at least one base station. The network is comprised of first and second mobile switching control stations respectively controlling communications through a first set of base stations including a first base station and through a second set of base stations including a second base station. To direct communications between the remote unit and the first and second base stations the first base station measures a round trip delay of an active communication signal between the first base station and the remote unit. The remote unit measures a first phase offset of a pilot signal received from a first candidate base station and reports it to the first mobile switching center via the first base station.

Abstract: In a communications network, a network user communicates through a remote unit with another user via at least one base station. The communications network includes a first mobile switching center which controls communications through a first set of base stations including a first base station. The remote unit stores a list of active base stations which has an entry corresponding to each base station with which active communication is established. The first base station has an entry on the list of active base stations. The first base station measures a round trip delay of an active communication signal between the first base station and the remote unit. A handoff of the active communication signal is initiated if the round trip delay of the active communication exceeds a threshold if the first base station is designated as a reference base station.