Method and apparatus for fast and random access of variable sized records stored in partitioned format

A method and apparatus for storing and accessing a preferred roaming list formed of variable size system records each of which includes a system identification field, a network identification included field, a preferred_negative field, a geographical region indicator field, and an acquisition parameter information field. Each of the system records optionally includes a network identification field, a priority field, and a roaming indicator field. The network identification, priority and roaming indicator fields from the records are stored in a first array; the system identification and geographical region indicator fields are stored in a second array; the first bit of the network identification included and the preferred_negative fields are stored in a third array; the second bit of the network identification included fields from the records are stored in a fourth array; and the acquisition parameter information fields are stored in a fifth array. A first index value corresponding to a selected record to be accessed is received, and entries in the third array are evaluated in response to the first index value in order to access the first bit of the network identification included field and the preferred_negative field associated with the selected record and to determine a second index value for locating any network identification, priority or roaming indicator field associated with the selected record in the first array. Any network identification, priority or roaming indicator field associated with the selected record is then accessed in the first array using the second index value, and the system identification field and the geographical region indicator field associated with the selected record are accessed from the second array using the first index value.