Paging Channel

What is it? 

The Paging Channel is one of the control channels within the GSM, i.e., the Global System for Mobile communication. Its main purpose is to notify a mobile that there is a call or text message waiting. This kind of alert is broadcast from all cells in the corresponding area. 

How does it work? 

Notifications about incoming calls or messages are called pages. These pages are sent to mobile stations. Consequently, the base station employs the pages to transfer mobile station-specific messages and system overhead information. The latter refers to digital information transmitted across the interface between a user and a telecommunications system or between functional units within this system.