A method and base transceiver station (BTS) for preventing paging channel overload in a wireless communication system. Paging channel occupancy level is measured and compared to different threshold levels. Each threshold level is associated with one or more types of paging messages. If the measured occupancy level of the paging channel reaches a first threshold level of occupancy, the BTS switches to a state in which the BTS allows initial transmission of paging messages of a first type but blocks retransmission of paging messages of the first type. If the measured occupancy level of the paging channel reaches a second threshold level of occupancy, the BTS switches to a second state in which the BTS allows initial transmission of paging messages of the first type and paging messages of a second type but blocks retransmission of paging messages of the first type and paging messages of the second type.