Method of reducing audio gap in downlink during handoff of cellular radiotelphone

A method of reducing an audio gap in a signal connection with a communication unit during handoff in a cellular communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a temporary inter-base site signal connection between a source base site and a target base site via a temporary trunk connection between a source mobile switching center associated with the source base site and a target mobile switching center associated with the target base site for routing signals from the communication unit through the target base site to the source base site;
• establishing a permanent trunk connection between the source mobile switching center and the target mobile switching center;
• interconnecting, at the target base site, the temporary trunk connection, the permanent trunk connection and the communication unit;
• and
• routing signals from the communication unit to the source mobile switching center through the permanent trunk connection.

A method of reducing an audio gap in a signal connection with a communication unit during handoff in a cellular communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a temporary inter-base site signal connection between a source base site and a target base site for routing signals from the communication unit through the target base site to the source base site;
• establishing a permanent signal connection between a mobile switching center and the target base site;
• interconnecting, at the target base site, the temporary inter-base site signal connection, the permanent signal connection and the communication unit;
• and
• routing signals from the communication unit to the mobile switching center through the permanent connection.