System and method for efficient selection of wireless networks

mobile device (306) comprising: a transceiver (200) configured to tune to a first non-preferred carrier associated with a primerared or a second preferred carrier associated with a second network; a table (600) containing information related to the first and second networks; and a processor (110) configured to: tune the transceiver (200) with the first non-preferred carrier; register with the first network via the first carrier; and periodically attempt to tune the transceiver (200) to the second preferred carrier únicamentesi information table (600) indicates that the mobile device (306) may be within the alcancede the second preferred carrier, wherein the mobile device (306) is configured to detune periodic attempts to increase to the second preferred carrier based on one or more profiles habits.