Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus that enables handover of a mobile station between a cellular network and a wireless network without control intervention from the cellular network and independent of employed air interface technology. The signaling and control of a switch, for example SS7 messaging, is not required to achieve the handovers implemented by the present invention. In particular, a call is connected () between a mobile station () and a remote station () through a media gateway (). The media gateway is connected to the mobile station via a first connection line and to the remote station via a second connection line. Next, a communication directed to a predetermined number by the mobile station is received () or, in the alternative, a connection signal that includes a call header is sent to the mobile station. A third connection line between the media gateway and the mobile station is then established (). Thereafter, communication between the media gateway and the mobile station is handed-over () from the first connection line to the third connection line.