Systems and methods for extending coverage of a communication network. In one embodiment, a system includes a first base station configured to communicate with a first mobile communication device and to generate a core interface message. The system also includes a second mobile communication device and an application level server. The second mobile communication device is connected to the first base station and is configured to obtain the core interface message from the first base station, generate a message including the core interface message in an application layer of the message, address the message to the application level server, and transmit the message to the application level server. The application level server is configured to receive the message, extract the core interface message from the message, and transfer the core interface message to a network core to emulate an interface between the first base station and the network core.