Method and system of intelligent cell switching

A method and system of controlling switching of an access terminal between cells of an access network that includes a first BTS serving a first cell and a second BTS serving a second cell. While the first BTS is receiving from the access terminal one or more consecutive requests for current service in the first cell and serving the access terminal, the second BTS receives from the access terminal a request for future service in the second cell. In response, the second BTS prepares to serve the access terminal in the second cell. After the second BTS has finished preparing, the first BTS sends to the access terminal an instruction to stop sending requests for current service in the first cell (e.g., a DRCLock bit message). The second BTS then receives from the access terminal a request for current service in the second cell, and begins serving the access terminal.