Stateless mechanism for data retrieval

An approach for providing retrieval of information over a packet switched network is disclosed. A client (105) is configured to transmit a request message for information over the packet switched network. A stateless-server (131) is configured to communicate with the client (105) and to forward a portion of the information to the client (105) in response to the request message, wherein the client (105) transmits a selection message specifying whether the remaining portion of the information should be retrieved from the server (131). The server (131) selectively forwards the remaining portion of the information to the client (105). The above approach has particular applicability to a communication system providing directory assistance services (101).