Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A network entity may support communications with a user equipment (UE) that is moving at a first speed that meets or exceeds a threshold via a cell that is configured to support such communications, which may be referred to as a high speed train (HST) cell. The network entity and the UE may support cell acquisition that prioritizes camping on an HST cell over a non-HST cell. The UE and the network entity may communicate acquisition signaling associated with establishing a connection with the network entity using a first frequency associated with an HST cell and a non-HST cell. Based on an identifier indicating that the HST cell is an HST cell, the UE may prioritize the HST cell over the non-HST cell during cell acquisition and establish the connection with the network entity via the HST cell.