A method of and system for supporting a handover decision in a wireless
communication system is described. An estimate of the position, velocity
or direction of motion of a subscriber station is obtained. The estimate,
or information derived there-from, is then used to support a handover
decision. In one embodiment, an estimate of the velocity of the
subscriber station is obtained if the handover rate experienced by the
subscriber station exceeds a threshold while the subscriber station is
within the coverage area of an umbrella cell. A decision is made to
handover the subscriber station to the umbrella cell if the estimate of
the velocity of the subscriber station exceeds a threshold. In a second
embodiment, one or more estimates of the position, velocity, or direction
of motion of the subscriber station are obtained responsive to the
subscriber station experiencing a directed retry condition. A decision is
made to handover the subscriber station from a serving cell to a target
cell if the one or more estimates indicate that (1) the subscriber
station is located closer to the target cell than the serving cell; or
(2) the subscriber station is moving towards the target cell and away
from the serving cell.