The present application discloses a packet sending method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving a packet notification message sent by a first forwarding entity, where the first forwarding entity is a forwarding entity that receives a packet that is sent by a public data network PDN to a mobile terminal, and the packet notification message carries at least a terminal address of the mobile terminal; if the mobile terminal is in an idle state, paging the mobile terminal according to the terminal address of the mobile terminal, so that the mobile terminal sets up a connection to a base station eNodeB; and setting up a data channel between the eNodeB and the first forwarding entity, to connect the mobile terminal and the first forwarding entity, so that the first forwarding entity sends the packet to the mobile terminal by using the data channel and the connection.