Methods and system for delivering presence information regarding push-to-talk subscribers are disclosed. In one method, a short message gateway receives presence information from a first push-to-talk subscriber from a presence or push-to-talk server. The short message gateway determines the location and availability of a second push-to-talk subscriber to which the presence information is directed. If the second push-to-talk subscriber is available, the SMS gateway delivers the presence information to the second push-to-talk subscriber in a manner that bypasses the SMSC. If the SMS gateway determines that the second push-to-talk subscriber is not available, the SMS gateway discards the presence information.