Powered down selection of a preferable wireless communications service provider in a multi-service provider environment

A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

• a memory that stores a list of stored identifiers, each stored identifier having associated frequency bands in a prioritized order based on desirability of a service provider operating in each associated frequency band;
• and
• a processor for:
• tuning to a first frequency band;
• receiving, an identifier of a service provider in the first frequency band;
• comparing the received identifier to the list of stored identifiers;
• and if the received identifier has a matching stored identifier, determining which of the frequency bands associated with the matching stored identifier has a desirable service provider.

A method for a communication device to locate a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

• tuning to a first frequency;
• receiving an identifier of a service provider in the first frequency;
• comparing the received identifier to a list of stored identifiers to locate a matching stored identifier, each stored identifier in the list of stored identifiers having associated frequencies in a prioritized order based on desirability of a service provider operating in each associated frequency;
• and
• if the received identifier has a matching stored identifier, determining which of the frequencies associated with the matching stored identifier has a desirable service provider.

A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

• a memory that stores a list of stored identifiers, each stored identifier having associated frequencies in a prioritized order based on desirability of a service provider operating in each associated frequency;
• and
• a processor for:
• tuning to a first frequency;
• receiving an identifier of a service provider in the first frequency;
• comparing the received identifier to the list of stored identifiers;
• and if the received identifier has a matching stored identifier, determining which of the frequencies associated with the matching stored identifier has a desirable service provider.