Methods, systems, and devices for improved acquisition of wireless communication systems or networks are described. A wireless communication device may be connected to a first network that uses a first radio access technology (RAT). When a failure occurs (e.g., lost connection), the device may attempt to acquire a cell or channel of another network that uses a second RAT. The time consumed for acquiring the channel of the second RAT may be reduced by providing a suitably prioritized list of channels. In some examples, the device may identify a channel for initial access or following a call failure based on prior successful access on that channel, or based on information provided by a server, or both.