Method for executing a communication attempt with a mobile terminal device in accordance with an attainability status of a mobile terminal device in a cellular communication network having a Short Message Service Center by: querying the SMSC in the cellular network for obtaining the attainability status of said mobile terminal device and delivering said communication attempt to said mobile terminal device in accordance with said attainability status. This invention allows an application to find out if a mobile terminal device e.g. a handset is reacheable without actually contacting the handset. A short message service center does this by initiating a mobile terminated delivery attempt but not finishing it but telling the application instead if the home location register of a cellular network thinks the handset is reacheable or not.