System, apparatus and method for paging optimization using sub-location areas

A method for optimizing the use of paging channels within a cellular network, said method comprising the step of:

• dividing at least one location area within said cellular network into at least two sub-location areas;
• determining paging and updating information associated with a mobile terminal in wireless communication with a mobile switching center within said cellular network, said mobile terminal being located within a given one of said sub-location areas, said paging and updating information comprising a ratio of the number of Pages attempted by said mobile switching center to said mobile terminal to the number of location updates attempted by said mobile terminal to said mobile switching center;
• paging, by said mobile switching center, said mobile terminal on said paging channels within said given sub-location area and not paging said mobile terminal on said paging channels within at least one other of said at least two sub-location areas when the value of said ratio is above threshold information;
• and
• paging, by said mobile switching center, said mobile terminal on said paging channels within said location area when the value of said ratio is below said threshold information.

A mobile terminal within a cellular network, said cellular network having at least one location area therein, said location area being divided into at least two sub-location areas, said mobile terminal comprising:

• a memory for storing paging and updating information associated with said mobile terminal and threshold information, said paging and updating information comprising a ratio of the number of Pares attempted towards said mobile terminal to the number of location updates attempted by said mobile terminal;
• sending means for sending a location update message to a mobile switching center in wireless communication with said mobile terminal within said cellular network, said mobile terminal sending said location update message when said mobile terminal enters one of said at least two sub-location areas but not when said mobile terminal enters said location area when the value of said ratio is above said threshold information;
• and
• receiving means for receiving a paging message from said mobile switching center, said mobile switching center transmitting said paging message on paging channels within one of said at least two sub-location areas but not in at least one other of said at least two sub-location areas when the value of said ratio is above said threshold information.