Paging network identification information distributed in address field

A communication system for proving information in a local reception area, the communication system comprising:

• a terminal for transmitting the information, the terminal including:
• a transmitter for transmitting a data stream comprising an address field for uniquely identifying receivers to which information is to be transmitted, a message field corresponding to the address field, and a control information field including a local ID indicative of the local reception area, wherein, when the terminal processes messages for at least one selective call network associated with at least one geographic area distinct from the local reception area, the address field comprises:
• a number of network IDs, each uniquely corresponding to a selective call network for which the terminal processes messages, wherein the number of network IDs varies according to the number of selective call networks for which the terminal processes messages, and wherein the number of network IDs queued into the address field equals zero when the terminal processes no messages for any selective call networks associated with geographic areas distinct from the local reception area;
• and
• queuing means coupled to the transmitter for queuing the number of network IDs into the address field;
• and
• data communication receivers located in the local reception area for receiving the information.