Method and device for forwarding short messages from a mobile terminal

A method for routing short messages (SMS) sent by a mobile terminal, for instance a mobile telephone (1), from a foreign network (10) to a receiver within the home network (7) of the mobile terminal, which receiver is an external short-message entity (8) having a receiver number and being different from a mobile terminal and connected with the home network (7), for instance a computer, wherein a short message-service center (12) of the foreign network (10) transmits an inquiry about the validity and availability of the receiver number of the external short-message entity (8) to the home network (7), characterized in that the inquiry of the of the short-message service center (12) of the foreign network (10) to the home network (7) occurs at a virtual home location register (14) of the home network (7), based on the receiver number of the external short-message entity (8), which virtual home location register replies to the inquiry with an acknowledgment containing information on a virtual mobile switching center (15) of the home network (7), via which the short message (SMS) is to be transmitted to the external short-message entity (8).