Use-triggered signal scanning for network detection

A cellular communication device, comprising:

• a graphical display panel for display of a graphical user interface (GUI);
• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
• communicating with a master base station of a network cell, wherein the master base station operates using 4th-Generation (4G) radio access technology;
• receiving, from the master base station, an indication that the master base station is associated with a secondary base station to support a Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA), wherein the secondary base station operates using 5th-Generation radio access technology;
• at a first time, detecting a first condition of the cellular communication device, wherein the first condition indicates that a probability that the GUI is being viewed is greater than a threshold probability level;
• in response to detecting the first condition, repeatedly searching multiple frequencies to detect an RF signal used by the secondary base station;
• and
• in response to detecting the RF signal, displaying a symbol on the cellular communication device indicating that 5G services are currently available to the cellular communication device.

A method performed by a cellular communication device, the method comprising:

• communicating with a master base station, wherein the master base station operates using 4th-Generation (4G) radio access technology and is associated with a secondary base station to support a Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA), wherein the secondary base station operates using 5th-Generation (5G) radio access technology;
• repeatedly searching multiple frequencies to detect a radio frequency (RF) signal used by the secondary base station;
• in response to detecting the RF signal, displaying a symbol on the cellular communication device indicating that the 5G radio access technology is currently available to the cellular communication device;
• at a first time, detecting a first condition of the cellular communication device, wherein the first condition indicates that a probability that the GUI is being viewed is less than a threshold probability level;
• and
• in response to detecting the first condition, pausing the searching.