Messaging over a network

摘要

A short message over an Internet Protocol (IP) network service is disclosed. A network element, e.g. SMS proxy, 235 (835, figure 8) is described that registers a user device 205 (805) to an IP Short Message Gateway, IP-SM-GW, 245 that is adapted to access a telecommunications system communicatively coupled to the IP network. The registration may be based on an attachment notification (405, 407, figure 4) that comprises identification information for the device, the attachment notification being received following a subscription (301, figure 3). The registration may comprise associating a communication preference of the device with a contact address for the device. The communication preference may be used to selectively invoke a terminating procedure to route a short message to the device. Suitably adapted user equipment is also described. An advantage of using a network element 235 to register on behalf on a device is that re-registration by the device with the IP network may be avoided.