Global operators, the GSMA and Google today announced the launch of a mobile industry initiative to accelerate the availability of Rich Communications Services (RCS). The initiative will enable all operators worldwide to provide an open, consistent, and globally interoperable messaging service on their Android devices. Operators have agreed to transition toward a common universal profile, based on the GSMA’s RCS specifications and an Android RCS client provided by Google in collaboration with operators and OEMs.
The initiative covers two areas the development of the RCS specification (RCC.07) and a client developed by Google. The GSMA will transition the specification to a single universal profile based on open standards as the technical basis for all deployments of RCS worldwide. Google’s client delivers the universal profile on Android devices, which operators can adopt.
The universal profile will bring a number of advantages to operating system providers, OEMs, network equipment vendors and developers. These include a significant reduction in the time and cost of development, testing and deployment of new services for the end customer. The reduction in complexity in RCC.07 will also help to facilitate easier interconnection between networks, increasing global reach as well as making open market RCS devices a reality.
The development of the Android client will provide end users with a consistent user experience and drive the upgrade of SMS, the world’s most-prolific messaging platform, to become a leading messaging platform with enhanced features. These include group chat, high-res photo sharing, read receipts and in future releases, Advanced Calling and APIs. The client will be updateable via the Play store, allowing services to be updated easily.
Read more in the press release.
Find out more about supporting the universal profile.