A method for establishing a connection between a circuit-switched mobile station (MS) and a packet-switched switching element (MSC). A radio network controller (RNC) receives a first initiation signal (an attach request) from the mobile station (MS) via a circuit-switched connection. The RNC opens a signaling connection for the mobile station. While the signaling connection is active, the RNC receives a second initiation signal (call setup) and opens a real-time connection for the mobile station. Thus the packet-switched switching element (MSC) is able to switch a real-time connection to/from the circuit-switched mobile station (MS).