A method for characterizing base station processing and memory capabilities in a wireless communications system enables resource allocation to take these capabilities into account and to make allocations that avoid base station overload. A method for allocating resources in a wireless communication system including a base station and a radio network controller (RNC) begins by receiving an allocation request for a new service at the RNC. A set of resources is selected by the RNC to allocate to the new service, taking into account the capabilities of the base station. The allocation request is executed by the RNC if a set of resources can be found that does not exceed the capabilities of the base station.