Patent ID: 7733816

Claim:
A method performed by a first radio network controller comprising: sending a radio link setup request message or a radio link addition request message from a first radio network controller controlling a cell currently serving a user equipment to a second radio network controller, wherein the radio link setup request message or the radio link addition request message is configured to cause a setup of a new radio link between the user equipment and a target cell connected to the second radio network controller, and wherein the target cell has a neighbor cell confirming to a different radio access technology than the first and second radio network controllers; receiving at the first radio network controller a response message from the second radio network controller, wherein the response message is one of a radio link setup response message, a radio link addition response message, a radio set up failure message, or a radio link addition failure message, wherein the response message includes information identifying a handover capability of the neighbor cell, and wherein the information identifying the handover capability of the neighbor cell indicates if the neighbor cell supports packet-switched handovers; storing the information identifying the handover capability of the neighbor cell at the first radio network controller; triggering a packet switched handover to the neighbor cell if the neighbor cell supports packet-switched handovers; and considering an alternative cell if the neighbor cell does not supports packet-switched handovers.