Patent ID: 6889045

Claim:
A method for managing a first communication network having an area of coverage, the first communication network associated with a media gateway that communicates with a plurality of mobile stations, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a call between a mobile station and a remote station through the media gateway, the media gateway being connected to the mobile station via a first connection line and to the remote station via a second connection line, wherein if the mobile station is outside of the area of coverage and initiates the call, the first connection line is established via a second communication network; determining that the mobile station entered a transition area of the area of coverage of the first communication network; receiving a handover call directed to a telephone number by the mobile station to establish a third connection line to the media gateway, wherein if the mobile station is moving into the area of coverage the handover call is received via the first communication network and wherein if the mobile station is moving out of the area of coverage the handover call is received via the second communication network; establishing the third connection line between the media gateway and the mobile station; and handing-over communication between the media gateway and the mobile station from the first connection line to the third connection line.