A network sends an indication of discontinuous reception period (ldle_Mode_DRX_Period) and an indication of number of paging groups (Paging_Group_Count). Paging occasions for a user equipment are determined by a predetermined formula. One exemplary formula is SFN mod IDLE_Mode_DRX_Period=(IDLE_Mode_DRX_Period div Paging_Group_Count) *(ID) mod (Paging_Group_Count); where SFN is system frame number and ID is the identifier of the user equipment, which can be IMSI or some value derived from IMSI. The UE's temporary ID is sent during a determined paging occasion, which maps to a paging channel on which the page is sent. Options for restricting the paging occasion to less than a frame, and for offsetting the paging occasions from that of the above formula are detailed.