For each broadcast control channel of a plurality of broadcast control channels associated with a plurality of wireless networks, a mobile device decodes control information on the broadcast control channel and stores this control information in its memory. The control information includes a network identification which uniquely identifies a particular wireless communication network. Such decoding is performed in between or during repeated acts of measuring signal strength levels of an RF signal on the broadcast control channel, and prior to completion of an averaging function for calculating an averaged signal strength level of the signal strength levels on the broadcast control channel. Decoding may be performed only for those broadcast control channels identified to have the most optimal signal strengths. The mobile device performs a network selection technique for selecting one of the wireless networks based on the one or more stored network identifications that were decoded and stored prior to completion of the averaging functions, which may result in more expedient network selection.