methods and apparatus for authorizing an access terminal requesting a service provided by an entity in an access network are disclosed . after being authorized for a communication session with the access network , the at addresses an inquiry to a domain name server for a contact of a service selector administering the desired service . a controller in the access network routs the inquiry to and returns a response from the dns . the at then addresses a service query containing the at &# 39 ; s capabilities to the ss . the bsc / pcf directs attributes allowing the ss to authorize the service . upon the ss &# 39 ; s acknowledgement of the attributes , the bsc / pcf forwards to the ss the service query . upon authorization , the ss notifies the bsc / pcf , and if the at is authorized , selects in accordance with the at &# 39 ; s capabilities an appropriate service provider to provide the service .