A system and methods of global paging of mobile stations in a wireless network. The system includes a MSC pool (50) for servicing mobile stations within a specified service area of the network and a radio configuration database (70) defining a plurality of global paging areas (80, 82, 84) within the specified service area. The radio configuration database (70) is accessible by any mobile switching center (52, 54, 56) in the pool (50) to allow paging of a mobile station (28) roaming within the specified service area according to one or more global paging areas (80, 82, 84). The radio configuration database (70) can be structured in a hierarchy including cells, locations areas, and base station controller/radio network controller (20) for each global paging area in the specified service area. In this way, any mobile switching center in the pool is capable of paging a mobile station within the specified service area by accessing the radio configuration database and determining the cell identity, location area identity, and base station controller/radio network controller identity of a mobile station roaming within the specified service area.