In general, paging-related delays are reduced by empowering an idle mobile (120) to initiate a transition to semi-dormant, unslotted mode, and/or RSCI modes, based on triggers (304) known to the MS. This is an efficient manner (in terms of both RF and battery-life cost considerations) in which to use semi-dormant and RSCI modes (306). If the MS (120) is able to anticipate a paging channel (PCH) message (for example, after sending or receiving an SMS or presence update), then the MS can intelligently reduce its slot cycle index for a short period of time, sacrificing a small amount of battery life, when the R-SCI is most likely to deliver improved service. Moreover, if the MS is low mobility (i.e. low idle handoff rate), then the MS can transition to a semi-dormant mode with very little cost, since it will not need to send many radio environment reports.