Short message system (SMS-MO) comprising switching arrangements (MSC) and servers (SMSC) at which the messages arrive in the form of messages "destined for a mobile" (SMS-MT). The sending mobile (SMS-MO) includes in the message the address of the server (SMSC) of its card (SIM). The system comprises a virtual server (SMSC-V) which is defined by its address (ADR-V) and is associated with an operator, a real server (SMSC-R) which is defined by its address (ADR-R), the address (ADR-V) of the virtual server (SMSC-V) being the only server address recorded on the operator's cards (SIM), the switching arrangement (MSC) contains an address translator for replacing the address of the virtual server (SMSC-V) with that of the real server (SMSC-R) to which the message (SMS-MO) will be routed, which real server handles the message and routes it to the intended receiver (MO).