a method for conserving paging channel and access channel bandwidth is provided in a wireless telecommunications network . the network includes : a plurality of cells served by a mobile switching center and including a paging channel for paging a mobile station located within the cells and an access channel by which the mobile station registers its location with the network . the method includes : defining a first set of location areas including a plurality of paging location areas , each paging location area including a plurality of cells ; and , defining a second set of location areas including a plurality of registration location areas , each registration location area including a plurality of paging location areas . as the mobile station travels , it registers via the access channel when entering one registration location area from another registration location area , but it does not register via the access channel when entering one paging location area from another paging location area within the same registration location area .