Abstract: A system for inhibiting the transmission of an access request message from a mobile station when either the system is incapable of granting access at the class of service desired by the mobile or access by the mobile at that class of service would increase the interference level of the target base station or a neighboring base station past its interference capacity. In one embodiment, each base station broadcasts a maximum data rate access parameter and any mobile receiving that parameter and seeking access at a greater data rate refrains from transmitting an access request message. In another embodiment, each mobile calculates from its path loss to the base station the power level it must transmit in order to gain access as well as the effect of that transmission on the interference level of both the target base station and neighboring base stations. If transmission at the required power level would increase the interference level of any base station past its maximum capacity, the transmission is inhibited.