FIELD: communications engineering. SUBSTANCE: proposed method and device are designed for use in communication network such as that of Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM) intended to allow for mobile station to transmit messages concerning measurement data for cell residing in vicinity of active cell. Mobile station initiates identification of undefined carrier of radio broadcasting control channel when prediction is made on the basis of measured signal levels that mentioned carrier of radio broadcasting control channel will soon be one of most powerful carriers of this channel considering mean values of signal levels for measurement period. Time delay since the moment this channel carrier becomes one of most powerful carriers till the moment this channel carrier is identified can be reduced and in some cases eliminated. In this way mobile station can transfer message concerning measurement data for radio broadcasting control channel carrier to network during earlier stage thereby enabling change-over of communication channels to respective cellular zone at higher speed. EFFECT: enhanced channel change-over speed and reduced message delivery time. 9 cl, 19 dwg
