Abstract: A method and system for balancing load in a multi-band cellular network (100) is disclosed. The method includes generating a candidate carrier list (208) at a communication device (108). The candidate carrier list comprises carriers from at least two bands in the multi-band cellular network. The method further includes selecting a band through a carrier selection from the candidate carrier list. A carrier is selected from carriers in the band. The communication device then connects to the carrier.

Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a mobile station in communication with an infrastructure that supports multiple radio frequency (RF) band classes. When the infrastructure receives a request to originate a call from the mobile station via a first radio frequency (RF) band of the multiple RF bands, the infrastructure determines whether to attempt to assign the mobile station to an RF band other than the first RF band. In response to determining to attempt to assign the mobile station to an RF band other than the first RF band, the infrastructure retrieves RF traffic channel decision-related data maintained by the infrastructure before performing further call processing and determines whether the mobile station may be inter-band re-directed based on the RF traffic channel decision-related data. When the mobile station may be inter-band re-directed, the infrastructure re-directs the mobile station to a second RF band of the multiple RF bands.