An apparatus and method for determining whether to perform a full band scan by using motion sensor data comprising determining if a user equipment has been stationary since the full band scan was last performed; determining if the user equipment has skipped full band scans more times than a skipped threshold; and if the user equipment has skipped full band scans more times than the skipped threshold, performing a full band scan, or if the user equipment has not skipped full band scans more times than the skipped threshold, performing a partial band scan or performing no scan.