paging channel (GSM) (PCH)

The paging channel (PCH) has different functions at different institutions. In the Third Generation Partnership Project( 3GPP), the paging channel is a special downlink transport channel in UMTS via which paging control signals, PCCH, are transmitted.

The Paging Channel is used to distribute paging information and messages as a broadcast within a radio cell. 3GPP2 describes the paging channel as a forward channel for Code Division Multiple Access( CDMA). It is used to transmit control information and pages from the base station.

Another commonly accepted interpretation describes the paging channel as a control channel over which mobile terminals are alerted when a call or message is present.