A method and apparatus for providing services that are adapted to the access networks of end users (10). By providing defined information to a residential gateway (110) and/or an access network provider (12) a service provider (18) enables the access network provider (12) to open a dedicated communications channel (20) between itself and the service provider. The service provider can use this channel to request information about the capabilities of the end user's access network as well as for requesting conditioning of data streams sent to said end user.