Techniques for switching a user equipment (UE) between wireless systems by first establishing a connection with a target system before disconnecting from a serving system are disclosed. In one design, the UE may initially communicate with a first wireless system (e.g., a WLAN system) of a first radio technology. The UE may receive a page to establish a connection with a second wireless system (e.g., a cellular system) of a second radio technology. The first and second wireless systems may be part of a small cell. The page may be sent by the second wireless system to the UE in response to a decision by a network entity to switch the UE from the first wireless system to the second wireless system. The UE may establish a connection with the second wireless system in response to the page and may thereafter terminate communication with the first wireless system.