A system and method for selectively granting access to GSM wireless service based upon signal strength is provided. A base station may measure uplink signal strengths of bursts transmitted by a mobile station on a RACH, a SDCCH, or a TCH, and determine downlink signal strengths as conveyed by the mobile station on a SACCH allocated with the SDCCH or TCH. The base station is configured to compare the uplink signal strengths of the RACH, SDCCH, or TCH bursts with uplink signal thresholds to determine service access. In addition, the base station is further configured to compare the downlink signal strength of a BCCH, as reported by the mobile station on the SACCH, with downlink signal thresholds associated with the service request types conveyed by the SDCCH/TCH bursts. The base station then determines service access for a service request type based upon those comparisons.