Method and system for instant messaging across cellular networks and a public data network

A system for sending and receiving instant text messages between at least one cellular communications device coupled to a wireless network and a computer based device coupled to a public data network, said system comprising:

• a database comprising a plurality of user profiles, each of the plurality of user profiles comprises user identification information and at least one of an instant message name or an instant message function assigned to a user destination address;
• a mobile carrier in communication with the at least one cellular communications device for receiving an instant text message signal from a cellular communications device, said received instant text message signal comprises a destination address, information associated with the cellular communications device's user, message content and message address and processing the instant text message signal according the message address;
• a routing server coupled to the database and in communication with the mobile carrier for receiving the processed instant text message signal from the mobile carrier;
• if the destination address is assigned to an instant message function, executing the assigned instant message function with an instant message server through the public data network according to the information contained in the message content, if required as determined by the instant message function;
• and
• if the destination address is assigned to an instant message user name, creating an instant text message comprising the message content for delivery to the assigned instant message name and sending the created instant text message to the user associated with the instant message name through the instant message server.

A communication system between a cellular communications device and one or more devices coupled to an instant messaging system, the system comprising:

• one or more cellular communications devices for generating a text message, the text message comprises text message content, instant text message address information, and sender information, and sending the generated text message to a wireless router;
• and
• the instant messaging system comprises:
• a database comprising a plurality of user profiles;
• and
• a processor for receiving the sent text message from the one or more cellular communications devices via the wireless router, generating an instant text message of the received message based on the text message content, instant message user address information, associated user profile, and sender information, and sending the generated instant text message to a destination based on the instant message user address information.