A mobile station operating in a wireless network system comprising a plurality of base stations is disclosed. A communication unit receives the messages from a first base station of the wireless network system to which the mobile station is currently connected. A signal detection unit detects a first averaged signal strength corresponding to the messages received from the first base station. A processor determines a scan period according to the first averaged signal strength, performing a background scan, at intervals during the scan period, to monitor messages from the plurality of base stations within the wireless network system.