Reducing paging response time in a wireless communication system

A method of reducing paging response time in a wireless communication system for a target mobile station operable using slotted and unslotted modes in multiple paging location areas of the communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a paging request message for the target mobile station operating in slotted mode;
• setting a paging indicator for the target mobile station;
• broadcasting the paging indicator to all paging location areas of the communication system in a time period preceding a next slot cycle of the target mobile station;
• operating the target mobile station in an unslotted mode upon recognition of the paging indicator by the target mobile station;
• paging the target mobile station in a last known location and failing to establish contact with the mobile station;
• re-paging the target mobile station in at least one different selected location area for each subsequent paging frame of the unslotted mode;
• and
• operating the target mobile station in slotted mode again upon successful receipt of the page by the target mobile station and processing of a call associated with the paging request message.

A system for reducing paging response time for a target mobile station operable using slotted and unslotted modes in multiple paging location areas of a wireless communication system, the system comprising:

• a mobile switching center (MSC) operable to send a paging request message for the target mobile station that is operating in slotted mode;
• at least one base station controller (BSC) coupled to the MSC, the at least one BSC operable to set a paging indicator for the target mobile station and broadcast the paging indicator to all paging location areas of the communication system;
• a target mobile station that operates in an unslotted mode upon recognition of the paging indicator;
• a portion of a plurality of base transceiver stations serving a last known paging location of the target mobile station operable to receive the paging request message, the base transceiver stations operable to page the target mobile station in a last known location, wherein
• if the portion of bases transceiver stations fail to establish contact with the target mobile station in the last known paging location, the MSC operates to re-page the target mobile station in at least one selected location area of the communication system;
• and
• the target mobile station is operable to switch a slotted mode of operation again upon successful receipt of the page and processing of the call between the MSC and mobile station.