Systems and methods are disclosed for transmitting a text/multimedia message over a bearer interface of a mobile network. A first network element of the mobile network, such as an MSC for a Mobile Terminated (MT) text/multimedia message or a BSS for a Mobile Originated (MO) text/multimedia message, receives a text/multimedia message. The first network element communicates with a second network element of the mobile network using a signaling interface (e.g., an IOS A1 interface) to select a bearer connection on a non-voice circuit-mode bearer interface (e.g., an IOS A5 interface), and routes the text/multimedia message to the second network element over the selected connection on the non-voice circuit-mode bearer interface. The first network element may also select a bearer connection on a voice bearer interface (e.g., an IOS A2 interface) and route the text/multimedia message to the second network element over the selected bearer connection.