An object is to provide a service providing method capable of curbing rise
of cost. A service providing method according to the present invention is
one for providing services A and B, which authenticates a user of an
authentication requesting terminal in order to make service A available
to the user and which determines whether service B is available to the
user, in a state in which the user is authenticated about service A. When
service B is determined to be available, a permission message is stored
and a permission response based on the permission message for utilization
of service B is transmitted to the authentication requesting terminal.
Then the permission message on which a utilization request message from a
service utilizing terminal is based, is verified, and, if it is in an
available status, the service utilizing terminal is permitted to utilize
service B. The use of the authentication result on service A obviates a
need for provision of new authentication means for service B, so as to
lead to reduction of cost.