An agent is configured to receive queries from an application server in a communication network. The queries are directed to one or more devices in the communication network. The agent selects a communication path for a device from a plurality of communication paths from the application server to the device. The communication path is selected based on a data size that is to be sent to the device as part of the query, a number of devices that are to receive the query, or a combination thereof. The agent transmits the query via the selected communication path. The communication path can be selected based on one or more of a time criticality of the query, a subscription class of a user of the device, a category of a type of the device, an operator-defined influence factor, network conditions along the communication path, a broadcast flag in the query, or a combination thereof.