A wireless access terminal is configured to enter into a freeze state where the wireless access terminal temporarily stops decoding and receiving data for a first access network, when the wireless access terminal's modem tunes away from the first access network to monitor signals from a second access network. When the modem tunes back, the wireless access terminal continues processing signals from the first access network without re-initializing with the first access network. When the terminal enters the freeze state, state variables for the terminal's various protocols, including layer 1, layer 2, and modem controller protocols can be stored so that the protocols can continue processing when the modem tunes back, without the need to reinitialize.