What does the term 'handoff' mean in wireless communication?

The term 'handoff' in wireless communication refers specifically to the process of transferring an active session from one base station to another. This process is crucial in maintaining a seamless connection for users who are moving between different coverage areas.

When a user device, such as a smartphone, moves out of the range of one base station, the network must ensure that the ongoing call or data session does not drop. The handoff process involves the network's management of the transition, allowing the user to continue their communication without interruption. This can occur in various forms, including hard handoff (where the connection to the first base station is broken before establishing a connection with the second) and soft handoff (where connections to both base stations are maintained for a brief period).

The other options do not accurately describe the concept of handoff: transmitting data over long distances relates more to signal propagation, changing signal frequency pertains to adjusting the frequencies used for transmission or reception, and establishing a new connection refers to starting a new communication session rather than transferring an ongoing one.