Methods and apparatus for using a location of a mobile station (MS) and information about neighbor base stations (BSs) to assist network entry and initialization, scanning, and/or handover operations are provided. The location of the MS may be ascertained by determining the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the MS internally or by receiving the location from, e.g., a GPS device external to the MS. The information about neighbor BSs may be retrieved from a BS information database based on the location of the MS. The BS information database may reside within the MS, be broadcast periodically to the MS in an effort to update the MS's internal database, or be stored in the network operator's database. Knowledge of the MS's location and information about neighbor BSs may reduce the time spent during network entry, scanning, or handover, and thereby, power consumption; and may increase the bandwidth usage efficiency.