Method for quickly searching for high-RAT network, and terminal device

1. A method implemented by a terminal device, wherein the method comprises:

connecting to a first hotspot;

performing a data service through the first hotspot;

storing a high-priority network list that comprises priorities;

storing a first maximum number of searches;

starting searching for, in a descending order of the priorities, a high-priority network when the terminal device disconnects from the first hotspot; and

pausing or suspending searching for the high-priority network when the searching reaches the first maximum number of searches.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising disconnecting from the first hotspot when the terminal device leaves an area covered by a signal of the first hotspot.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising further connecting to the first hotspot using WI-FI.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high-priority network comprises a highest-radio access technology (RAT) network supported by the terminal device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high-priority network comprises a fourth generation (4G) network.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining the high-priority network, wherein the high-priority network is associated with a second hotspot;

connecting to the second hotspot; and

camping on the high-priority network.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:

disconnecting from the first hotspot;

skipping starting searching for the high-priority network responsive to the terminal device being disconnected from the first hotspot; and

storing a search record of searching for the high-priority network based on the terminal device being disconnected from the first hotspot, wherein the search record identifies that the terminal device does not camp on the high-priority network when the terminal device is disconnected from the first hotspot.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first hotspot is a first base station or a first WI-FI hotspot, and wherein the second hotspot is a second base station or a second WI-FI hotspot.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

further connecting to the first hotspot and further performing the data service using the first hotspot when the terminal device is at a first location, wherein the first location is an area that can be covered by a signal of the first hotspot; and

further starting searching for the high-priority network when the terminal device is disconnected from the first hotspot and when the terminal device is at a second location, wherein the second location is an area that cannot be covered by the signal of the first hotspot or an area in which a signal strength of the first hotspot is less than a threshold.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising storing first network parameters of the first hotspot and second network parameters of a second hotspot, wherein the first network parameters and the second network parameters comprise a strength, a signal quality, a registration success rate, and a packet loss rate.

11. A terminal device, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal device to be configured to:

connect to a first hotspot;

perform a data service through the first hotspot;

store a high-priority network list that comprises priorities;

store a first maximum number of searches;

start searching for, in a descending order of the priorities, a high-priority network when the terminal device disconnects from the first hotspot; and

pause or suspend searching for the high-priority network when the searching reaches the first maximum number of searches.

12. The terminal device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the terminal device to be configured to disconnect from the first hotspot when:

the terminal device leaves an area covered by a signal of the first hotspot; or

the terminal device determines that a signal strength of the first hotspot is less than a threshold.

13. The terminal device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the terminal device to be configured to further connect to the first hotspot using WI-FI.

14. The terminal device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the terminal device to be configured to:

obtain the high-priority network that is associated with a second hotspot;

connect to the second hotspot; and

camp on the high-priority network.

15. The terminal device of claim 14 , wherein the first hotspot is a first base station or a first WI-FI hotspot, and wherein the second hotspot is a second base station or a second WI-FI hotspot.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising disconnecting from the first hotspot when the terminal device determines that a signal strength of the first hotspot is less than a threshold.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high-priority network comprises a preset highest-radio access technology (RAT) network.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high-priority network comprises a fifth generation (5G) network.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

disconnecting from the first hotspot;

skipping starting searching for the high-priority network; and

storing a search record of searching for the high-priority network, wherein the search record identifies that a signal strength of the high-priority network is less than a threshold when the terminal device is disconnected from the first hotspot.

20. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processor, cause a terminal device to:

connect to a first hotspot;

perform a data service through the first hotspot;

store a high-priority network list that comprises priorities;

store a first maximum number of searches;

start searching for, in a descending order of the priorities, a high-priority network when the terminal device disconnects from the first hotspot; and

pause or suspend searching for the high-priority network when the searching reaches the first maximum number of searches.