Bell Canada Launches Advanced Messaging Service

 

The GSMA was pleased to learn that Canada’s largest communications company, Bell, has now launched an integrated advanced messaging service this week. This will mean that Bell subscribers will benefit from enhanced messaging features such as group chat, high-res photo sharing and read receipts that are familiar on many messaging applications but will now be available natively on people’s smartphones. The service will be available initially on the Samsung Note 8 smartphone, as well as the Samsung GS8 and GS8+, after Bell issues a software update.

Bell’s advanced messaging service is based on the GSMA’s Universal Profile for Advanced RCS Messaging (UP) which is currently backed by over 70 leading operators, vendors and OS providers worldwide. It was designed to simplify and accelerate the adoption of interoperable communications services by providing an open, consistent and global messaging service across devices. UP is helping operators to upgrade their messaging services and provide subscribers with a superior and enhanced experience that works simply and consistently across devices without the need to download multiple messaging apps.

The GSMA recently issued UP 2.0 that builds on the first technical specification released last year by introducing key enablers for Messaging-as-a-Platform (MaaP) as well as improved messaging expressiveness, APIs, plug-in integration and improved authentication and security. It also introduces ‘conversational commerce’ that will enable users to interact with brands within the platform. It is an important step that when combined with network interoperability enables operators to offer a consistent and engaging messaging experience.
UP 2.0 also provides the initial specification for Person-to-Application messaging and Messaging Plug-ins, including discovery, rich message bubbles and stickers, as well as improvements to existing functionality like Group Chat icons, Group Chat change-of-subject and File Transfer enhancements.

The GSMA also recently launched the GSMA A2P Future Messaging Lab that is designed to bring operators, messaging aggregators and brands together to understand the operational and commercial requirements that will enable RCS to become an industry-leading A2P messaging platform. The lab will be used to inform members of developments with specifications and build a framework around MaaP and cover key topics such as monetisation, privacy, security and trust, interconnection and customer experience. For more information, and to register for the A2P Labs, please visit: https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/digest/future-networks-programme-launches-gsma-a2p-future-messaging-lab/

For more information about the RCS Universal Profile or to download Universal Profile 2.0 visit: https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/ip-services/universal-profile/