System selection based on service-specific preferred roaming list in a wireless network

A method for accessing a wireless service on a roaming wireless network via a Preferred Roaming List, the method comprising:

• receiving the Preferred Roaming List via one or more over-the-air messages, the Preferred Roaming List comprising a numerical service type indicator representing a combination of wireless services offered by the roaming wireless network, the service type indicator corresponding to a SID and NID identifier pair, the SID and NID identifier pair representing the roaming wireless network corresponding to a geographical area served by a roaming service provider and available to a wireless communication device for roaming;
• storing the Preferred Roaming List in computer readable memory of the wireless communication device;
• accessing a default roaming wireless network during an idle state of the wireless communication device, in accordance with the Preferred Roaming List;
• processing a wireless service request for accessing the wireless service;
• and
• in response to the service request, selecting the roaming wireless network based at least in part on the combination of wireless services represented by the service type indicator when the default roaming wireless network does not support the requested wireless service.