A methodology is provided to reduce data session handoff time between 3G1x and EV-DO technologies for dual mode access terminals. Generally, a dual mode access terminal is communicating with a data network through a base station and a particular packet data service node (PDSN) using EV-DO technology. When the EV-DO technology becomes at least temporarily unavailable, a handoff process is initiated so that communications with the data network may continue using 3G1x technology. During handoff, the access terminal provides an access network identification (ANID) that contains an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI). A radio network controller within the base station extracts the IMSI and uses it to select the same PDSN used with the EV-DO technology, which eliminates the need to access an authentication, authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server and perform a re-authentication process.