A method (500) for identifying a local area network (103) with a mobile device (100) includes scanning (504) for available local area networks with a wireless communication circuit. Upon detecting an available local area network, a base station (502) of the local area network pushes a MAC address (122) to the mobile device. The mobile device then determines (512) one or more of a host identifier, network purveyor, network location, other information, or combinations thereof, from the MAC address without having to resolve geographic coordinates.