Patent ID: 8626154

Claim:
A method comprising: a wireless communication device (WCD) determining a likelihood of roaming, wherein the likelihood of roaming indicates a probability that the WCD will be handed off from a preferred coverage area to a non-preferred coverage area, wherein the preferred coverage area is operated by a home service provider, and wherein the non-preferred coverage area is operated by another service provider; and the WCD using the likelihood of roaming as a basis for managing an active set of the WCD, wherein managing the active set comprises: if the likelihood of roaming is above a first threshold, then adjusting at least one active-set parameter in an effort to reduce the probability that the WCD will be handed off to the non-preferred coverage area, wherein adjusting the at least one active-set parameter comprises setting a maximum number of active sectors that the WCD can include in the active set of the WCD to a second maximum number; and otherwise, if the likelihood of roaming is equal to or below the first threshold, then refraining from adjusting the at least one active-set parameter in an effort to reduce a probability of a handoff to the non-preferred coverage area and setting the maximum number of active sectors to a first maximum number, wherein the second maximum number that is greater than the first maximum number.