A communications network comprises a central controller which operates to control a zone of the network and which provides a conference call facility with at least one gateway engaged in a call with a mobile station via a first communication channel, means for generating a hand-off required indication indicating that handover of the call is needed, means at the central controller for receiving said hand-off required indication and opening a conference call channel as a second communication channel for the call and means for handing over said call from the first to the second communication channels and, if the handover is successful, causing the first communication channel to be closed.