A method of reducing power consumption in a communication device includes a step of acquiring a signal on a common pilot channel of a radio communication system. A next step includes detecting predetermined bits in the signal on the common pilot channel indicating activity on paging channels of the radio communication system. When no paging channel activity is indicated in the second step, a last step includes powering down portions of the electrical circuitry of the communication device so as to reduce power consumption, and when paging channel activity is indicated in the second step, a next step includes powering up portions of the electrical circuitry of the communication device such that those paging channels indicating activity are monitored by the communication device.