A handover is the process of transferring a cellular call or data session from one cell site to another without disconnecting as the user moves between different cells. There are different types of handovers including intra-cell handovers which change channels within the same cell, inter-cell handovers which transfer between different cells, hard handovers which instantly terminate the existing connection to establish a new one, and soft handovers which connect to the new channel before disconnecting the existing connection to provide a smoother transition.

1. HANDOVER

2. PURPOSE OF HANDOVER
When the phone is moving away from the area
covered by one cell and entering the area
covered by another cell the call is transferred
to the second cell in order to avoid call
termination.

3. PURPOSE OF HANDOVER
When the capacity for connecting new calls of a
given cell is used up and an existing or new
call from a phone, is transferred to that cell in
order to free-up some capacity in the first cell
for other users.

4. DEFINITION
A handover is a process in telecommunications
and mobile communications in which a
connected cellular call or a data session is
transferred from one cell site (base station) to
another without disconnecting the session.

5. Types of Handovers
a) intra-cell handover
Here the source and the target are one and the
same cell and only the used channel is
changed during the handover. Such a
handover, in which the cell is not changed, is
called intra-cell handover.

6. Types of Handovers
b) Inter-cell handover
When the source and the target cells may be
served from two different cell sites or from
one and the same cell site Such a handover, in
which the source and the target are different
cells is called inter-cell handover.

7. Types of Handovers
c) Hard Handover
An instantaneous handover in which the
existing connection is terminated and the
connection to the destination channel is
made.
It is also known as a break-before-make
handover.
The process is so instantaneous that the user
does not hear any noticeable interruption.

8. Types of Handovers
d) Soft Handover
A substantial handover where the connection to
the new channel is made before the
connection from the source channel is
disconnected.
This type of handover is very effective in poor
coverage areas