Who is Behind RCS?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging protocol that is designed to replace SMS (Short Message Service) with a more feature-rich and interactive messaging experience. The development and standardization of RCS is led by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association), a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.
The GSMA's role in the development of RCS can be traced back to 2007 when it launched the Rich Communication Suite (RCS) initiative. The RCS initiative aimed to create a new standard for rich messaging services that would enable mobile network operators to compete with popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and iMessage. The initiative brought together mobile network operators, device manufacturers, and technology vendors to collaborate on the development of a new messaging protocol.
Over time, the RCS initiative evolved into the RCS Universal Profile, which is a global standard for RCS messaging that is designed to be compatible with any device or network. The RCS Universal Profile is managed by the GSMA and includes a set of technical specifications and guidelines for the development and deployment of RCS messaging.
While the GSMA leads the development and standardization of RCS, many companies and organizations are involved in the development and deployment of the protocol. These include mobile network operators, device manufacturers, technology vendors, and software developers, who work together to ensure that RCS is interoperable, secure, and user-friendly.
Unfortunately RCS has not been widely adopted. With the proliferation of iPhones, and Apple’s proprietary competing iMessage protocol, Apple has little motivation to adopt a new and different standard. Additionally, many carriers have not made the move to switch RCS. These two factors have hampered the move to RCS as a wide spread industry standard.
Article Date: June 28, 2023 |
Who Is Behind RCS and the RCS Standard?