Patent ID: 7181219

Claim:
A method for implementing hard handover in a wireless telecommunications network having a plurality of radio coverage areas and a plurality of mobile switching centers, comprising: connecting a call from user equipment in a first radio coverage area to a first media gateway in a mobile switching center via a first connection point in a first context within said first media gateway; connecting said call from said first media gateway to a called party via a second connection point in said first context, wherein said second connection point comprises an anchor termination that remains connected to said called party throughout the duration of said call; responsive to said user equipment moving from said first radio coverage area to a second radio coverage area, connecting said call from said user equipment in said second radio coverage area to a second media gateway in said mobile switching center; linking said call from said second media gateway to said first media gateway via a third connection point in said first context, wherein said call is connected from said user equipment in said second radio coverage area to said second media gateway via a fourth connection point in a second context within said second media gateway and wherein said call is linked from said second media gateway to said first media gateway via said third connection point in said first media gateway and a fifth connection point in said second context; and removing said first connection point in said first context.