The invention supports two types of handoffs. The first handoff is for an inter-AN cell selection where the source AN allows the AT to add a cell under the control of a different AN to its active set and then allows the AT to switch to the target AN. A bearer path is established between the source and target AN to transfer the packet data traffic using an exchange of messages to register the AT's movement from one BTS to another BTS. The A8/A10 connections remain anchored at the source AN and, hence, a bearer path is needed between the source and target AN to transfer the packet data traffic. The second handoff occurs when the source AN specifies a move of the AT to a new AN proactively. New connections are established at the target AN to support the AT, and the AT is subsequently moved to the target AN via the relevant air-interface messaging.