A wireless communication system uses a series of repeating overhead time cycles that each comprise a plurality of time slots. The system exchanges overhead information with wireless communication devices during individual time slots. The communication system wirelessly receives a registration request for wireless communication service from a wireless communication device. The communication system processes loading information for the overhead time cycles or a quality of service level of the wireless communication device to assign the wireless communication device to one of the overhead time cycles. The communication system wirelessly indicates the assigned overhead time cycle to the wireless communication device. The communication device monitors the overhead time slots during the assigned one of the overhead time cycles and does not monitor the overhead time slots during the not assigned overhead time cycles.