A method is provided for controlling a communications session with an access terminal during a handoff between first and second radio network controllers. The method comprises receiving an indication that a call is being transferred from the first radio network controller to the second radio network controller. A compression technique to be used when sending data to the access terminal from the second radio network controller is established. The compression technique may be established by either receiving information from the first radio network controller or restarting the compression from an initial state.