A system and method for pre-scanning for a wireless channel selection is provided. The methodology is executed by a first fixed location wireless device to improve initial channel selection in a wireless network where a plurality of fixed location wireless devices is contemporaneously initialized. On a predetermined channel, there is a transmission of at least one message including an identifier of the first device. On the predetermined channel, there is a transmission of at least one message indicative of readiness to transition to a subsequent processing step. The methodology also commences scanning for channel selection purposes.