A system, computer-readable medium, and method of operating a dual-mode WiMAX and CDMA communications device capable of operating in a CDMA mode or a WiMAX mode includes receiving a first base station (BS) location message from the BS and storing the received location as a current BS location. The BS location is compared to stored region coordinates for the different regions, and the comparison is used to determine a particular region in which the dual-mode device is currently located. Analysis determines whether a WiMAX market is located within the particular region. If no WiMAX markets are located, the dual-mode device is operated in the CDMA mode. If one or more WiMAX markets are located within the particular region, a determination is made as to whether the BS location is within a WiMAX market and, if so, the dual-mode device is placed in a WiMAX mode of operation. Battery power is conserved by avoiding WiMAX transmission when WiMAX service is not available at the current BS location.