FLEXIBLE PAGING FOR PACKET DATA
A system (100) and method including a flexible paging protocol which adjusts the allocation of resources for paging in response to the amount of actual paging traffic, by increasing resources for paging when paging traffic is heavy and decreasing them when paging traffic is light. A base station (204) transmits a paging packet message over a paging broadcast channel containing a set of paging messages and a next page pointer. The next page pointer identifies when the next set of paging packet messages will be transmitted. A user station (105) monitoring the paging channel receives the next page pointer, and, if not being paged, goes to sleep until the next paging packet message is due. When paging traffic is light, paging messages are sent infrequently, freeing up base station resources and allowing the user station (105) to remain asleep longer. When paging traffic is heavy, paging messages are sent more frequently, ensuring rapid response to the pages and reducing the probability of a missed call.