A system and method for supporting handovers between different radio access technologies is provided. A method for communications device operations includes sending a request to a controller of the communications device to change an operating mode of the communications device, and receiving a transmission responsive to the request. The method also includes in response to determining that the controller has granted the request to change the operating mode and that the communications device is operating in a border cell, changing the operating mode of the communications device, tuning at least one receiver of the communications device to an alternate radio access technology (RAT), and initiating a handover with the alternate RAT.