Abstract: A method and apparatus for a mobile wireless device configured to adaptively scan for a preferred wireless network while roaming is described. In one embodiment, at least a portion of a database including characteristic information regarding wireless networks can be stored within the mobile wireless device. Network characteristic information can include mobile country codes, mobile network codes, location area codes and cell-IDs. When the mobile wireless device is connected to a network that is not a preferred network, the mobile wireless device can use the database information in conjunction with characteristics from a connected wireless network to determine when to scan for the preferred wireless network.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device maintains a radio sector database. When receiving no response or a negative response from a radio sector to a transmitted signaling message, the mobile wireless device adds or updates the radio sector database. When receiving a positive response from the radio sector, the mobile wireless device deletes the radio sector from the radio sector database. Before transmitting signaling messages to a radio sector, the mobile device determines a time delay value if the radio sector is in the radio sector database. The mobile wireless device discards the signaling message when an elapsed time since a most recently transmitted signaling message to the radio sector does not exceed the determined time delay value. In an embodiment, each radio sector in the radio sector database includes a failure count value, and the determined time delay value depends on the failure count value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a mobile wireless device configured to adaptively scan for a preferred wireless network while roaming is described. In one embodiment, at least a portion of a database including characteristic information regarding wireless networks can be stored within the mobile wireless device. Network characteristic information can include mobile country codes, mobile network codes, location area codes and cell-IDs. When the mobile wireless device is connected to a network that is not a preferred network, the mobile wireless device can use the database information in conjunction with characteristics from a connected wireless network to determine when to scan for the preferred wireless network.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device maintains a radio sector database. When receiving no response or a negative response from a radio sector to a transmitted signaling message, the mobile wireless device adds or updates the radio sector database. When receiving a positive response from the radio sector, the mobile wireless device deletes the radio sector from the radio sector database. Before transmitting signaling messages to a radio sector, the mobile device determines a time delay value if the radio sector is in the radio sector database. The mobile wireless device discards the signaling message when an elapsed time since a most recently transmitted signaling message to the radio sector does not exceed the determined time delay value. In an embodiment, each radio sector in the radio sector database includes a failure count value, and the determined time delay value depends on the failure count value.