Various different types of computing devices include a modem that allows the computing device to communicate wirelessly with other devices using various different radio access technologies (RATs). During operation of the computing device, the modem scans for a cell to connect to using a particular RAT, and once found connects to the cell. The computing device also includes a modem scan management system that manages the modem scanning for a cell to connect to, controlling the modem's scanning for a cell to connect to, such as stopping scanning using a particular RAT or reducing the frequency of the scans until movement of the computing device by a significant amount is detected. In response to a significant amount of movement being detected, scanning using the particular RAT can resume or the frequency of the scans can be increased.