A set top box (STB) may be enabled to generate and communicate SMS messages over a back channel between the STB and one or more networked entities such as a satellite service provider headend and/or billing center via a coupled communication device. The SMS enabled communication device may be integrated within the STB or may be external to the STB. The SMS messages may comprise an address for one or more destination devices. In addition, the STB may receive acknowledgement messages for corresponding transmitted SMS messages and/or may receive and decode SMS messages. The SMS messages may be communicated via an integrated Bluetooth transceiver and an external cellular phone, via an integrated cellular transceiver and/or via a cable connecting an external cellular phone. The STB may be a satellite STB. The communicated SMS message may comprise billing information. The networked entity may comprise a headend and/or a billing center.