A method for conserving paging and access channel bandwidth is provided in a wireless network (A) that includes: a plurality of cells (32) served by a mobile switching center (20); a paging channel for paging a mobile station (MS) (40) located within the cells (32); and, an access channel by which the MS (40) registers with the network (A). The method includes: defining a first set of location areas (LAs) including a plurality of paging LAs (50), each paging LA (50) including a plurality of cells (32); and, defining a second set of LAs including a plurality of registration LAs (60), each registration LA (60) including a plurality of paging LAs (50). As the MS travels, it registers with the network when entering one registration LA (60) from another, but it does not register when entering one paging LA (50) from another within the same registration LA (60).