Abstract: A method is provided for setting up a call through an indirect access via a base transceiver station (BTS) assigned to a service area having a plurality of sectors, each of the plurality of sectors having a characteristic identifying signal. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for a call setup from the mobile station located in a first sector of the plurality of sectors of the service area, allocating a traffic resource channel to the requested call, sequentially confirming whether a signal transmitted by the mobile station is detected in one of the plurality of sectors beginning with the first sector, and processing and maintaining a call corresponding to the call request once the signal from the mobile station is detected in one of the plurality of sectors, and determining that the requested call setup has failed if the signal from the mobile station is not detected in any of the plurality of sectors of the service area.