Abstract: A method for responding to a pointer received on an analog control channel pointing to a control channel belonging to a forbidden service provider includes avoiding a power-up scan and resuming camping on the analog control channel. A wireless communications mobile unit is camped on an analog control channel may receive a channel pointer to a digital control channel. If the digital control channel has acceptable received signal strength, the service provider information for that control channel is checked. If the control channel belongs to a non-forbidden service provider, the mobile unit camps on the digital control channel. If the control channel belongs to a forbidden service provider, the mobile unit returns to camping on the analog control channel without performing an intervening power-up scan. By avoiding power-up scans when the pointed-to channel belongs to a forbidden service provider, less power is consumed and users receive more consistent communications service.