Dynamic scanning rates for satellite network coverage

A method comprising:

• receiving a first indication that an electronic device has established a connection with a non-terrestrial communication entity;
• transmitting, via the non-terrestrial communication entity, instructions to the electronic device to scan for network coverage at a first rate while the electronic device has the connection with the non-terrestrial communication entity,
• wherein the first rate is transmitted in spare bits of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Release;
• receiving, via a network access node, a second indication that the electronic device is in a range of network coverage;
• and
• responsive to receiving the second indication, transmitting instructions to the electronic device to scan for network coverage at a second rate.

At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one hardware processor of a system, cause the system to:

• receive a first indication that an electronic device has established a connection with a satellite;
• cause the satellite to transmit a first rate in spare bits of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Release,
• wherein the electronic device responsively becomes configured to scan for network access nodes at the first rate;
• determine a first geographic area that the satellite provides network coverage to;
• and
• responsive to determining an edge of the first geographic area is beyond a threshold distance from an edge of a second geographic area, transmit instructions to the electronic device to scan for network access nodes at a second rate,
• wherein a network access node provides network coverage to the second geographic area.