A system searches for a cell and determines a frequency error estimate in a communications network. The system generates a slot boundary candidate. The system identifies a scrambling code group using the slot boundary list, identifies a scrambling code from the scrambling code group, and determines a frequency error estimate using the identified scrambling code. The system also determines a detection metric, compares the detection metric to a predetermined threshold, and selects the frequency error estimate when the detection metric is greater than the predetermined threshold.