For group network acquisition, systems, apparatus, methods, and program products are disclosed. The apparatus may include a radio transceiver for communicating on a mobile communication network, a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. In one embodiment, the processor detects a connection status of the radio transceiver and forms a group with a communication device based on the network status. In a further embodiment, the processor attempts network acquisition for the group during an assigned connection period and ceases network acquisition attempts during an unassigned connection period.