Abstract: Method for selecting a preferred system for wireless communications with a mobile terminal or subscriber. To select a preferred system for wireless communications with a mobile terminal or subscriber using a mobile terminal, a range of operating frequencies are scanned to detect wireless systems. Each time a wireless system is detected, a determination is made as to whether the detected wireless system is a most preferred system or a lesser preferred system for the mobile terminal or subscriber. If the detected wireless system is determined to be the most preferred system, scanning is terminated and the detected wireless system is selected for wireless. If, however, the detected wireless system is determined to be one of the lesser preferred systems, selection information for the detected wireless system is stored in a memory subsystem of the mobile terminal and scanning continues.