Patent ID: 8467814

Claim:
A server device for use in managing a communication to a mobile device over a network, comprising: a memory for use in storing data and machine instructions; a processor in communication with the memory and is configured to receive data and machine instructions that enable the processor to perform actions, including: receiving from each of a plurality of network carriers a short code policy, including an extension allocation policy; receiving a message from an application within a plurality of applications to be communicated to a mobile device from among a plurality of mobile devices; determining based on a cost of delivering the message and a mobile device identifier of the mobile device a network carrier from among the plurality of network carriers through which the message is to be routed to the mobile device, wherein the cost of the network carrier is determined separate from content of the received message; employing the short code policy, including the extension allocation policy associated with the determined network carrier to assign a short code and extension to the received message; modifying the message to include the assigned short code and extension; and enabling the modified message to the transmitted to the mobile device using the determined network carrier.