Abstract: In a hierarchical network system, at least one comparatively small underlay cell is embedded within a comparatively large overlay cell for the purpose of increasing the network capacity of certain area inside the overlay cell. The underlay cell is configured within an overlay cell to have both a traffic carrier and a pilot beacon, or a “Lantern,” carrier. The Lantern carrier, which comprises the Pilot, Paging and Sync channels, should be programmed to set its overhead power level to be lower than an overhead channel power level of the traffic carrier. Thus, the coverage or the footprint of the traffic carrier can always encompasses the footprint of the Lantern carrier. Hence, the quality of a traffic signal is always ensured when a mobile telecommunication unit (MU) is switched from the overlay cell to the underlay cell. When the MU is active, it will be switched to the underlay cell when it detects the Lantern carrier.