Methods, systems, and computer readable media for short message service (SMS) forwarding

1. A method for forwarding message service messages in a communications network, the method comprising:

at a message service message proxy separate from a short message service center (SMSC) and implemented on a computing platform including at least one processor:

receiving a message service message routing information response message containing message parameters including message service message routing information for a first destination;

modifying the received response message by manipulating the message parameters to include message service message routing information for the proxy, the modified response message being used to direct a mobile terminated message service message intended for the first destination to the proxy;

receiving the mobile terminated message service message;

determining whether a message service message forwarding feature is enabled for the first destination;

in response to determining that a message service message forwarding feature is enabled for the first destination, determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding to a second destination; and

in response to determining the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding, initiating signaling to forward the mobile terminated message service message to the second destination.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding includes determining whether at least one parameter indicates the presence of looping.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding includes determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is of a type that should not be forwarded.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising generating a message detail record (MDR) based on the forwarding of the mobile terminated message service message.

5. The method of claim 4 comprising:

accessing a list of subscriber identifier associated with subscribers that have been placed under lawful surveillance;

determining whether the destination subscriber identifier has been placed under lawful surveillance; and

in response to determining that the destination subscriber has been placed under lawful surveillance, relaying the MDR to a surveillance authority.

6. A system for forwarding message service messages in a communications network, the system comprising:

a message service message proxy separate from a short message service center (SMSC) and implemented on a computing platform including at least one processor, the message service message proxy including:

a network interface for:

receiving a message service message routing information response message containing message parameters including message service message routing information for a first destination; and

a message service message forwarding module for:

modifying the received response message by manipulating the message parameters to include message service message routing information for the proxy, the modified response message being used to direct a mobile terminated message service message intended for the first destination to the proxy;

receiving the mobile terminated message service message;

determining whether a message service message forwarding feature is enabled for the first destination;

in response to determining that a message service message forwarding feature is enabled for the first destination, determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding to a second destination; and

in response to determining the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding, initiating signaling to forward the mobile terminated message service message to the second destination.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the message service message forwarding module is configured to determine whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding includes determining whether at least one parameter indicates the presence of looping.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the message service message forwarding module is configured to determine whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding by determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is of a type that should not be forwarded.

9. The system of claim 6 comprising a call detail record generation/lawful surveillance module (CDR/LS) being associated with the message service message proxy for generating a message detail record (MDR) based on the forwarding of the mobile terminated message service message.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the CDR/LS module transmits the records to a remote application or storage facility.

11. The system of claim 9 comprising a database being co-located with the MT/SM proxy, wherein the CDR/LS module stores or caches the records in the database.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the CDR/LS module:

accesses a list of subscriber identifier associated with subscribers that have been placed under lawful surveillance;

determines whether the destination subscriber identifier has been placed under lawful surveillance; and

in response to determining that the destination subscriber has been placed under lawful surveillance, relays the MDR to a surveillance authority.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a tangible computer readable medium and when executed by a processor of a computer performs steps comprising:

at a message service message proxy separate from a short message service center (SMSC) and implemented on a computing platform including at least one processor:

receiving a message service message routing information response message containing message parameters including message service message routing information for a first destination;

modifying the received response message by manipulating the message parameters to include message service message routing information for the proxy, the modified response message being used to direct a mobile terminated message service message intended for the first destination to the proxy;

receiving the mobile terminated message service message;

determining whether a message service message forwarding feature is enabled for the first destination;

in response to determining that a message service message forwarding feature is enabled for the first destination, determining whether the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding to a second destination; and

in response to determining the mobile terminated message service message is eligible for forwarding, initiating signaling to forward the mobile terminated message service message to the second destination.