In this embodiment of this application, the different categories correspond to the different service features. Service features of terminal devices corresponding to the first category are the same, that is, terminal devices belonging to the first category have a same service feature. This is understood as that terminal devices belonging to a first type have a same service feature. It may be understood that, herein the same service feature cannot be understood, in a limited manner, as that the service features are absolutely the same, and may alternatively be understood as that the service features are similar. For example, when the terminal device is a mobile phone or a computer, and both the mobile phone and the computer correspond to downlink service trigger, it may be considered that the mobile phone and the computer have a same service feature. When the terminal device is a water meter or a smoke alarm, the water meter and the smoke alarm almost do not involve downlink service trigger, and have a relatively low probability of being paged, it may be considered that the water meter and the smoke alarm have similar service features. It should be noted that when it is determined, by using probability values of being paged, whether two terminal devices have a same service feature, if the two terminal devices have equal probability values of being paged, it may be considered that the two terminal devices have a same service feature. Alternatively, if the two terminal devices have probability values of being paged that are not equal, but a difference between the probability values of being paged is less than a preset threshold, it may also be considered that the two terminal devices have a same service feature. The preset threshold may be set based on an actual requirement. Herein, a value of the preset threshold is not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application.