Patent ID: 8406757
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving home wireless access to communication services over a first wireless communication mode from a home wireless access node associated with a first wireless system identifier, and determining availability of roaming wireless access over a second wireless communication mode from a roaming wireless access node; processing the first wireless system identifier to determine a first geographic group associated with the home wireless access node, wherein the first geographic group comprises a plurality of home wireless access nodes providing wireless access over the first wireless communication mode which are in geographic areas with wireless coverage of wireless access nodes providing home wireless access over the second wireless communication mode and with wireless coverage of wireless access nodes providing roaming wireless access over the second wireless communication mode; and determining a network rescan timer for the roaming wireless access over the second wireless communication mode based on the first geographic group and the availability of the roaming wireless access by at least determining if the home wireless access node is a member of the first geographic group and determining if the roaming wireless access is available.