Apparatus and method for improved idle state handoff

A method and apparatus for facilitating handoff operations in a wireless communication device is provided. The method may comprise receiving, by a wireless communication device, a plurality of pilot signals, wherein the plurality of pilot signals includes an active pilot signal and one or more candidate pilot signals, selecting at least one nominal active pilot signal strength value for comparison with the active pilot signal, classifying the one or more candidate pilot signals into a respective one of a plurality of tiers based on a handoff factor corresponding to the at least one candidate pilot signal, wherein the plurality of tiers are divided according to one or more handoff factors, and selecting at least one threshold handoff value for each of the plurality of tiers, wherein the at least one threshold handoff value partly depends on one of the at least one nominal active pilot signal strength values.