A server for controlling user MTC devices. The server ascertains if a user MTC device has an IP connection to a cellular access network, and if so, sends a message to trigger the user MTC device to initiate an application defined in the message. If a user MTC device does not have an IP connection, the server ascertains if the user MTC device is a mobile or a stationary user MTC device, and for a stationary user MTC device, the server sends a message to the cellular access network to trigger the user MTC device to initiate an IP connection, and for a mobile user MTC device, waits until the user MTC device has an IP connection, and for both kinds of user MTC devices, when the user MTC device has an IP connection, transmits a message to the user MTC device to initiate an application defined in the message.