Method and apparatus for associating with a communication system

A method in a wireless device (100) for communicating with a WLAN access point (112) and a wide area network is disclosed. The first step (302) includes scanning a first set of channels in a first radio frequency band for at least one pilot channel signal. The device, in response to receiving the pilot channel signal with the unique identification then turns on (306) a receiver that receives signals in a second radio frequency band. The device then searches, in step (308) for a signal, on the second radio frequency band, for a WLAN access point. The device then determines if a WLAN access point signal has been received, in step (310). The device associates with the WLAN, in step (312) if the device receives the WLAN access point signal. The device, in step (314), turns off the receiver if a WLAN access point signal has not been received.