Communication channel encoding/tagging messages in a telecommunications network

At least one computer-readable medium, excluding transitory signals and storing instructions, which when executed by an electronic server, perform operations for operating the electronic server, the operations comprising:

• receiving a request to deliver a first message from a first mobile device to a second mobile device on a first line of communication, wherein the first line of communication comprises an instant messaging network;
• determining that the first mobile device is eligible to receive SMS communication but not instant messaging communication;
• determining a message modification attribute value for the first message, wherein the message modification attribute value indicates to use SMS communication on the first line of communication;
• modifying the first message using the message modification attribute value;
• delivering the modified first message as an SMS message to the second mobile device using the first line of communication;
• based on the message modification attribute value, causing the second mobile device to use SMS communication on the first line of communication, wherein the second mobile device is instructed by the modified first message to use SMS communication for a period of time;
• and
• receiving a request to deliver a second message from the second mobile device in response to the first message, wherein the second message is an SMS message.

A method for tagging instant messages in a telecommunications network, comprising:

• receiving, at a node of the telecommunications network, a request to deliver a first message from a first mobile device to a second mobile device on a first line of communication, wherein the first line of communication comprises instant messaging;
• determining that the first mobile device is eligible to receive SMS communication but not instant messaging communication;
• determining a message modification attribute value for the first message, wherein the message modification attribute value indicates to use SMS communication on the first line of communication;
• modifying the first message using the determined message modification attribute value;
• delivering the modified first message as a SMS message to the second mobile device using the first line of communication;
• based on the message modification attribute value, causing the second mobile device to use SMS communication on the first line of communication, wherein the second mobile device is instructed by the modified first message to use SMS communication for a period of time;
• and
• receiving a request to deliver a second message from the second mobile device in response to the first message, wherein the second message is an SMS message.