A wireless communication system includes at least one base station controller (BSC) that couples to a packet data network to service packet data communications between the packet data network and a mobile unit. Once this connection is established, the BSC continues to service the packet data session until it is terminated or until the mobile unit roams into a cell/sector serviced by another base station. Upon roaming of the mobile unit, operation will be altered. If the mobile unit roams to another cell or sector of a base station serviced by the same BSC, the path is only altered to include the newly servicing base station. However, if the mobile unit roams to a cell or sector serviced by another base station, the BSC must initiate mobility operations that will forward packet data communications to the newly servicing BSC for delivery to the mobile unit. By forwarding the packet data, the mobile unit maintains the same packet data network address.