Mobile networks have more management functions than WiFi, for instance. If you're in a high density area, the mobile network will push the device to small rang

Mobile networks have more management functions than WiFi, for instance. If you're in a high density area, the mobile network will push the device to small range cells (handover), or tell the device which other cells are available in that area (list of neighbor cells). However, the smartphone is not required to search for a base station all the time. It receives hints from the network.