Abstract: A mobile network presence and location (NPL) agent detects and gathers user presence and location information and provides a generic interface to applications which require the information. The NPL agent comprises a pull agent, a push agent, or both. The pull agent receives requests for presence or location information about mobile devices on a wireless network from remote applications over a computer network. In response, the pull agent sends corresponding requests to a remote entity, such as a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) associated with the wireless network, which queries the Home Location Register (HLR) of the wireless network for the requested information. The remote entity returns the requested information to the pull agent, which decodes it and subsequently provides the information to the remote applications. The push agent publishes presence or location information to applications without requiring applications to request the information.