Hand-over

Handoff / Hand-over

When a wireless network automatically switches a mobile call moving into an adjacent cell site. (Cingular)

The passing of a call signal from one base station to the next as the user moves out of range or the network software re-routes the call. (Ericsson)

In cellular telecommunications, the term handoff refers to the process of transferring an ongoing call or data session from one channel connected to the core network to another. In satellite communications it is the process of transferring satellite control responsibility from one earth station to another without loss or interruption of service. The British English term for transferring a cellular call is handover, which is the terminology standardised within such European originated technologies as GSM and UMTS.

In telecommunications there are two reasons why a handoff (handover) might be conducted: if the phone has moved out of range from one cell site (base station) and can get a better radio link from a stronger transmitter, or if one base station is full the connection can be transferred to another nearby base station.