Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting the radio access technology (RAT) employed in a received signal prior to performing a cell search. The RAT detection method may be used to identify the most likely RAT employed for each candidate frequency identified in an initial frequency scan. Once the most likely RAT is identified, the mobile communication device can then attempt synchronization according to the procedures for the most likely RAT. Identifying the RAT prior to the cell search reduces the number of synchronization attempts and, consequently, the time needed to perform the cell search.