Apparatus and methods related to acquiring service on mobile computing devices (MCDs) are provided. A method includes determining a decreasing sequence of scan ratios, each scan ratio indicating a proportion of time over which a MCD scans one or more frequencies to attempt connection with a wireless network during a disconnected time window. The method further includes determining a connected time window' when the MCD is connected to the wireless network. The method additionally includes determining a ping-pong rate for the MCD based at least on a duration of the connected time window. The method also includes selecting a scan ratio from the decreasing sequence of scan ratios based on the ping-pong rate. The method further includes scanning the one or more frequencies in accordance with the decreasing sequence of scan ratios and starting from the selected scan ratio to cause the MCD to attempt connection with the wireless network.