Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, for various telemetry applications, such as meter reading, alarm applications or the like, utilize data communication service via a public mobile/wireless communication network, such as the short message service (SMS). However, such M2M communications may involve a large number of clients. To avoid the need to assign a telephone number, such as a mobile directory number (MDN) or the like, to each of the many remote M2M clients, routing through the network is based on another type of MSID (Mobile Station Identifier), such as the MIN (Mobile Identifier Number) or the IMSI (International Mobile Station Identifier) of the client. SMS messages transmissions originating at a client use a short code for the M2M application address, and SMS messages intended to terminate at a client use the MIN or IMSI as the routing address for the M2M device.