Apparatus and methods related to acquiring service on mobile computing devices (MCDs) are provided. An MCD can determine whether the MCD is connected to a wireless network. After determining that the MCD is not connected to the wireless network, the MCD can determine a scanning context that includes a mobility attribute and/or a location attribute. Based on the scanning context, the MCD can determine frequencies associated with the wireless network and scanning rates for scanning the frequencies, where each frequency can be associated with a respective scanning rate. The MCD can scan one or more of the frequencies at one or more respective scanning rates for a signal that enables the MCD to attempt connection with the wireless network.