A paging control method and apparatus, an access gateway, a bearer connection policy control entity, a data gateway, and a network device are provided. The paging control method includes: receiving a downlink service data packet; determining whether a user terminal corresponding to the downlink service data packet is in idle state; and if the user terminal is in idle state, performing matching between the downlink service data packet and at least one bearer connection control policy, and controlling, according to a matched bearer connection control policy, paging towards the user terminal corresponding to the downlink service data packet. The present invention solves a technical problem in the prior art that network resources are wasted due to unlimited use of low-cost Internet voice/messaging services by users, and also controls paging towards a user terminal in idle state effectively, thereby improving user experience.