Abstract: A cellular telephone network includes plural areas each having a plurality of cells. The cells individually supporting certain service capabilities. Inter-exchange messaging is provided for distributing from a second exchange to a first exchange information on the service capabilities supported by a cell serviced by the second exchange. Using the distributed service capability information, the first exchange may identify, in the context of a potential inter-exchange hand-off, whether to request that cells serviced by the second exchange be instructed to make verification signal strength measurements. Furthermore, responsive to received verification signal strength measurement reports, the first exchange screens candidate cells based on the distributed service capability information to select an appropriate target cell served by the second exchange for hand-off.