IRAT handover allows the transition of 3G voice and data services between WCDMA and GSM networks to maintain connections when users move between coverage areas. The process involves monitoring connection quality and signal strength on both networks, and triggering handovers when certain thresholds are met. Directed retry is also used to offload excess traffic from WCDMA to GSM networks by rejecting calls on WCDMA and redirecting them to GSM when WCDMA network load exceeds a threshold.