A method and communication system is provided for optimizing paging of a mobile communication device in cells of a multi-cell communication system. The communication system includes the cells, a network controller, and the mobile communication device. Each of the cells has a base station located therein for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. The network controller is coupled to each of the base stations and provides information thereto for transmission as RF signals within an associated cell, the network controller also receiving information from the base stations that is received from RF signals transmitted in the associated cell. The mobile communication device travels within the cells during one or more mobile communication device runs and detects RF signals transmitted from the base stations. Thereafter, the mobile communication device provides run information to the network controller identifying acquired cells acquired during the one or more mobile communication device runs and neighbor cells adjacent to the acquired cells and detected during the one or more mobile communication device runs at a signal strength greater than a predetermined signal strength. The network controller receives the run information and defines a user specific paging zone for the mobile communication device, the user specific paging zone including a portion of the ells selected in response to the run information.