Systems and methods for providing an efficient network entry for a mobile station in RF communications systems with fully configured and partially configured carriers are described. A distinguishing parameter for fully configured carriers is determined. A mobile station receives a carrier and determines whether a fully configured carrier has been received. The mobile station performs synchronization with a base station using the detected fully configured carrier and completes a network entry procedure. In one method embodiment, the distinguishing parameter is a unique preamble characteristic. In another method embodiment, the fully configured carrier frequency is part of messages broadcast by both the fully configured and partially configured carriers. In yet another method embodiment, the carrier raster for fully configured carriers is distinguishable from the carrier raster for partially configured carriers. Latency is reduced for the network entry process for the mobile stations.