A system and method that notifies the receipt of a voicemail message at an IP
telephone
using one or more of instant messaging and short message service. A preferred embodiment
of the invention provides an IP telephone that prepares a notification regarding
the receipt of a voicemail message. In one embodiment, the IP telephone queries
the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence
server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging presence server
if the instant messaging client is available. In another embodiment, the IP telephone
sends the notification to a short message service client via a short message service
gateway. In still another embodiment, the IP telephone sends the notification to
both instant messaging client and short message service clients.
