Mobile device-initiated inter-radio access technology handovers between networks

A method for implementing mobile device-initiated inter-radio access technology (I-RAT) handovers between networks includes a wireless device communicating with a first network using an internet protocol (IP) address that was received from the first network during an initial attachment procedure. The wireless device may initiate an I-RAT handover procedure to connect to a second wireless network using a configuration message that includes a handover attach type. Once the connection with the second network is established, the wireless device may receive the information from the second wireless network using the same IP address. The wireless device may force the wireless device into dormancy and prevent data transfer, and initiate another I-RAT handover procedure to upgrade and connect to the first network, by sending an attach request message that includes a handover attach type.