A system and method are presented for expediting acquisition of an
operating channel in a wireless communications telephone device. The
method activates a wireless communications telephone device and
identifies the wireless device geographical location. The method
correlates a Number Assignment Module (NAM) with geographical location
information and selects the NAM. The method also correlates a
predetermined group of channels in a Priority Roaming List (PRL) in the
selected NAM with geographical location information and selects the
channel group. The method scans channels in the PRL beginning with
channels in the selected channel group.