A method and apparatus for providing fast detection of a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH). The HS-SCCH carries information necessary for receiving data via a high speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH). The apparatus receives messages transmitted via a plurality of HS-SCCHs. The apparatus measures a channel quality for the messages received via each HS-SCCH. The apparatus performs a threshold test by comparing the channel quality with a predetermined threshold. The apparatus then selects a HS-SCCH having the best channel quality among the HS-SCCHs.