Apparatus and method for recognizing Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) signals are provided. The solution comprises obtaining position and timing information from a satellite positioning system; tuning to a frequency channel with GSM transmission; collecting a group of I/Q samples for the length of 12 GSM frames; performing peak detection using at least two peak detectors over the group of samples wherein the found peak values are the locations of synchronization bursts (SCH). For the found peaks, the timing information, carrier-to-noise ratio, in phase and quadrature values are determined. A group of I/Q samples for the length of 12 or 51 GSM frames are collected. From the found SCH, base station identification code BSIC, frame number and Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) training sequence are determined. BCCHs corresponding to all SCH are decoded; and transmitting base stations identified.