METHOD AND SUBSCRIBER APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING PREFERRED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM SELECTION

A method and apparatus for selecting a communication system in accordance with the geographic region in which the subscriber station is located is described. Upon successful acquisition, a system determination processor examines the received system identification information and compares it with system identification information stored in a universal system table to determine the geographical region of the identified communication system. The system determination processor then determines whether the acquired system is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region. If it is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the system determination processor selects the acquired system for providing service. If it is not the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station attempts to acquire a more desirable system using information from the universal system table.