A method performed by a sending mobile phone that transmits SMS messages and packet switched messages may comprise: (a) retrieving a destination address of a message from the message; (b) sending information representing a phone number of a receiving mobile phone; (c) receiving a response to the sending of the information; and (d) based at least in part on the response, automatically selecting a bearer for the message. The bearer may be selected from a group including: an SMS bearer; a packet-switched message bearer supported by a cellular connection between the sending mobile phone and a cellular base station; and a packet-switched message bearer supported by a wireless local area network (WLAN) connection between the sending mobile phone and a WLAN base station.