Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message
between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An
intermediary system operates between a first network operating in
accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in
accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an
SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and
the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request,
an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is
thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt
of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the
first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the
second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity
distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual
MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.