Techniques are provided for network mode selection based on positioning system information blocks (SIBs). An example method for measuring positioning reference signals with a user equipment includes receiving one or more system information blocks containing positioning reference signal information, determining band and frequency information for positioning reference signals based on the one or more system information blocks, determining at least one operational constraint for the user equipment, determining a network mode for the user equipment based at least on the band and frequency information and the at least one operational constraint, and measuring one or more positioning reference signals based at least in part on the network mode.