Various arrangements for performing intelligent cellular channel management are presented herein. A physical cellular communication channel may be established between a user equipment (UE) and a cellular network for sending a short message service (SMS) message in response to a cellular service request from the UE. One or more characteristics of the UE, the SMS message, or both may be analyzed. A duration of time for which the physical cellular communication channel is kept active may be based on the analyzed one or more characteristics. A channel maintenance instruction may be transmitted to keep the physical cellular communication channel active based on a cellular network messaging controller determining to adjust the duration of time for which the physical cellular communication channel is kept active.