The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for indicating requirements for broadcast and multicast service reception. A basic method comprises a step of transmitting a message indicating the requirements over the air interface to terminals within the service range. An alternative method comprises a step of informing the terminal's capabilities to the system which deduces on the basis of informed data whether the terminal is capable of joining the service or not. A wireless system comprising a network element and at least one wireless terminal operable in the system is presented. The wireless terminal is capable of receiving the broadcast message indicating the requirements and sending a capability notification. The network element is capable of receiving the notification and sending the message indicating the requirements. Service requirements and corresponding terminal capabilities are divided into a number of capability classes which can be announced instead of explicit data.