A method of triggering an IF or IS handover between two WCDMA carrier or a WCDMA carrier and a GSM carrier. Six triggering conditions are used to initiate the search for an alternative network connection by starting the handover measurements. These triggering conditions are: a) the mobile terminal TxPwr has exceeded its threshold value longer than a specified time; b) the connection based power in the downlink has exceeded its threshold value longer than a specified time; c) the mobile terminal TxPwr has reached the maximum value a specified number of times; d) the SIR target at the base station has risen above a specified threshold value over a period of time; e) the mobile terminal TxPwr has exceeded its threshold value and the gradient of the power control signature indicates sudden rise to maximum power level; and f) the pilot power measured at the mobile terminal has fallen below a threshold value for long than a specified time.