Method to access or manage an operator's voicemail system from a digital assist or smart device

A proxy network node configured to communicate with at least a voicemail system, the proxy network node comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• access a voicemail system in a fixed or cellular network related to a user based at least in part on an inquiry about a voicemail function of the voicemail system from a digital assistant device, the accessing of the voicemail system being performed without establishing a voice channel in the fixed or cellular network;
• and
• return a message destined for the digital assistant device based at least in part on the access of the voicemail system in the fixed or cellular network, the message being associated with the inquiry about the voicemail function of the voicemail system.

A node, comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• receive a request message for at least one voicemail message in a voicemail system in a fixed or cellular network;
• access the voicemail system to retrieve the at least one voicemail message, the accessing of the voicemail system being performed without establishing a voice channel in the fixed or cellular network;
• and
• return a response message to the at least one voicemail message, the response message being associated with the request message for the at least one voicemail message in the voicemail system.