Methods are provided for a multi-mode mobile station to perform multi-mode system selection using a multi-mode system selection algorithm as a function of multi-mode overlay information. The multi-mode overlay information includes a plurality of associations, each association being between a respective set of systems that serve at least a common geographical area, at least some of the associations being between systems using differing radio access technology. Methods are also provided for a system to prepare multi-mode overlay information that includes a plurality of associations and send the multi-mode overlay information to the mobile station.