Patent ID: 8060098

Claim:
A method in a mobile communication device for use in performing a handover procedure for a voice or data call from a first base station to a second base station, the method comprising: maintaining a the voice or data call over a traffic channel with the first base station; receiving, at the mobile communication device from the first base station, a handover command message for commanding execution of the handover procedure for the voice or data call from the first base station to the second base station; in response to receiving the handover command message, and prior to completion of the handover procedure: receiving, at the mobile communication device, a timing advance value from the second base station; after receiving the timing advance value, transmitting, from the mobile communication device, over a fast associated control channel with the second base station, a handover message for executing the handover procedure for the voice or data call; and additionally transmitting, from the mobile communication device, over a slow associated control channel with the second base station, the same handover message for executing the handover procedure for the voice or data call, which thereby assists in preventing the voice or data call from being dropped during the handover procedure.