Abstract: A system and method for improving handoff performance of a cellular telecommunications network having a serving exchange and a serving cell in which a mobile station is engaged in a call. The system adapts a first timeout period during which signal strength measurements are collected from a plurality of cells that neighbor the serving cell. A variable timing mechanism measures time periods starting when a handoff measurement request is generated. The system then sets the variable timing mechanism to measure a specified time period for each of the plurality of cells, collects the signal strength measurements during the specified time period, and processes the signal strength measurements when the specified time period expires. The system also adapts a second timeout period during which a handoff request from the mobile station is queued while awaiting an available voice channel in a target cell for handoff.