Developer | GSMA |
---|---|
Type | Instant messaging |
Launch date | September 15, 2008 November 16, 2016 (Universal Profile specifications) | (original specifications)
Operating system(s) | Android 5 and later, iOS 18 and later |
Status | Active |
Website | www |
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a communication protocol standard between mobile telephone carriers for the purpose of instant messaging, developed and defined by the GSM Association (GSMA). It aims to be a replacement of SMS and MMS, with a text-message system that is richer. RCS is also marketed as Advanced Messaging,[1] and was previously marketed as chat features,[2] joyn, SMSoIP,[3] Message+, and SMS+.[4]
RCS has been designed as an industry standard[5][6] to provide improved text messaging capabilities, and also to regain the influence of mobile network operators against individual OTT (over-the-top) services that have become prominent.[7] Features of RCS include high-resolution photo and video sharing, file sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, operation over mobile data or Wi-Fi, improved group chat functionality, and providing phonebook polling for service discovery. End-to-end encryption is not a feature of RCS specified by GSMA, instead deferring to the individual messaging clients to establish encryption;[8][9][10][11] Google has added support for this feature using RCS in their own text messaging app, Google Messages. RCS services are based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).[12]
As of 2020, RCS has rolled out across 90 cell operators in 60 countries globally.[13] In addition, RCS can be used anywhere with Google Messages on Android, where it is provided directly by Google via their own Jibe platform backend in place of a mobile operator's.[14][15] By 2023, there were 800 million active RCS users on Google's platform and 1.2 billion handsets worldwide supporting RCS.[16] Apple plans to support RCS in Messages with iOS 18 in the fall of 2024; RCS is also accessible through desktops via the web client of Google Messages[17] or via Microsoft Phone Link.[18]
Samsung was one of the first major device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to support RCS. Samsung RCS capable devices have been commercially launched in Europe since 2012 and in the United States since 2015. In December 2020, Samsung updated its One UI Messages app to also allow users to opt into RCS.[19]
Google supports RCS on Android devices with its Android SMS app Google Messages, beginning with Lollipop across Android devices.[20][21] In April 2018, it was reported that Google would be transferring the team that was working on its Google Allo messaging service to work on a wider RCS implementation.[22][23][24] In June 2019, Google announced that it would begin to deploy RCS on an opt-in basis via the Messages app, with service compliant with the Universal Profile and hosted by Google rather than the user's carrier, if the carrier does not provide RCS. The rollout of this functionality began in France and the United Kingdom.[22][23][25]
In September 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company had no plans to support RCS on its devices or any interoperability with iMessage.[26] However, in November 2023, an Apple spokesperson stated that the company planned to introduce RCS support in 2024. The decision came after China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology proposed new regulation which could have required Apple to support RCS.[27][28] In June 2024, Apple announced that RCS support would be introduced on iOS 18 in the Messages app; as with SMS, RCS will be displayed with green message bubbles and buttons, although an RCS indicator will display in the text box.[29]
In response to concerns over the lack of end-to-end encryption in RCS, Google stated that it would only retain message data in transit until it is delivered to the recipient.[30] In November 2020, Google later announced that it would begin to roll out end-to-end encryption for one-on-one conversations between Messages users, using RCS but not part of the GSMA's RCS specifications, beginning with the beta version of the app.[31] Google added end-to-end encryption to their Messages app using the Signal Protocol as the default option for one-on-one RCS conversations starting in June 2021. Google stated it would like to collaborate with other companies to make end to end encryption over RCS compatible with other apps.[32][33][34][35] In December 2022, end-to-end encryption was added to group chats in the Google Messages app for beta users and was made available to all users in August 2023. Additionally, Google enabled RCS in Messages by default to encourage end-to-end encryption adoption.[36][37][38] In July 2023, Google announced it was developing support for the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) end-to-end encryption standard in Google Messages to encourage interoperability of messaging platforms.[39] Apple stated it will not support Google's end-to-end encryption extension over RCS, but would work with GSMA to create an RCS encryption standard.[28]
The Rich Communication Suite industry initiative[40] was formed by a group of industry promoters in 2007. In February 2008 the GSM Association (GSMA) officially became the project home of RCS and an RCS steering committee was established by the organization, officially announced as Rich Communications Suite on September 15, 2008,[41] later known as Rich Communication Services.[42] The companies involved in launching it were: operators Orange, Telecom Italia, Telefonica and TeleSonera, network vendors Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks, and device vendors Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung.[43] The steering committee specified the definition, testing, and integration of the services in the application suite.[44][45][46]
By 2010, RCS had released Version 4 of its specification, however progress was slow and it had yet to be deployed on commercial subscriber services.[43] During this time, closed internet-based instant messaging services (known in the industry as "OTT" (over-the-top) providers) were rising in popularity.[43] To accelerate development, the RCS project released a new specification – RCS-e (e = "enhanced"), which included various iterations of the original RCS specifications.[43] At Mobile World Congress 2012, RCS-e was launched under the consumer brand name "joyn"[43] (a brand that has since been abandoned). The full list of carriers that agreed to support RCS-e at the time were AT&T, Bell Mobility, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Jio, KPN, KT Corporation, LG U+, Orange, Orascom Telecom, Rogers Communications, SFR, SK Telecom, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telia Company, Telus, Verizon and Vodafone.[47] That year, the first RCS-e/Joyn services were rolled out by networks in Spain, Germany and the US.[43][48]
The GSMA published the Universal Profile in November 2016.[49] The Universal Profile is a single GSMA specification, and carriers that deploy the Universal Profile guarantee interconnection with other carriers. As of early 2017[update], there were 47 mobile network operators, 11 manufacturers, and 2 OS providers (Google and Microsoft) that had announced their support of the Universal Profile.[50] Adoption of RCS increased following Google's purchase of Jibe Mobile, which uses an implementation of the RCS Universal Profile, designed to help carriers launch RCS quickly and scale easily.[51][52]
In October 2019, the four major U.S. carriers announced an agreement to form the Cross-Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI) to jointly implement RCS using a newly developed app. This service was to be compatible with the Universal Profile.[53] However, this carrier-made app never came to fruition. By 2021, both T-Mobile and AT&T signed deals with Google to adopt Google's Messages app.[54][55][56] In 2023, T-Mobile and AT&T agreed to use Google Jibe to implement RCS services, and in 2024 Verizon agreed to use Google Jibe.[57][58][59]
SMS (Short Messaging Service) was deployed by cellular networks in the 1990s alongside the earliest 2G digital GSM networks. It uses traditional circuit switching technology, as opposed to the data-based packet oriented standards that were introduced with newer technologies like GPRS and which are now standard.[60] SMS has numerous limitations compared to more modern messaging standards (as in instant messenger clients), such as a 160 character limit, lack of read receipts, and media sharing (images may be shared but these would be sent as an MMS, with an increased charge). RCS aims to be a modern successor with newer features while still remaining an open standard for cell networks like SMS[60] and hence would also not be a closed "walled garden" like commercial messaging networks (also known as OTT (over-the-top) services) such as Messenger and WhatsApp.[61]
RCS Business Messaging (RBM) is the B2C (A2P in telecoms terminology) version of RCS. This is supposed to be an answer to third-party messaging apps (or OTTs) absorbing mobile operators' messaging traffic and associated revenues. While RCS is designed to win back Person-to-Person (P2P) traffic, RBM is intended to retain and grow this A2P traffic.[62][63] RCS offers "rich" features similar to those of messaging apps, but delivered (in theory) via the preloaded SMS messaging app - for example Google Messages or Samsung Messages. By making these features available in a B2C setting, RBM is expected to attract marketing and customer service spend from enterprises, thanks to improved customer engagement and interactive features that facilitate new use cases.[64][65] This was the primary reason for the development of RCS by the GSMA.
RBM includes features not available to ordinary users, including predefined quick-reply suggestions, rich cards, carousels, and branding. This last feature is intended to increase consumer confidence and reduce fraud through the implementation of a verified sender system.[66] These additional features are only available with the use of a messaging-as-a-platform (MaaP) server integrated with the operator's network. The MaaP controls the verified sender details, unlocking RBM features, while also segregating P2P and A2P RCS messages, aiding monetisation of the latter (SMS currently suffers from grey routes, where A2P messages are sent over P2P connections, which are cheaper or often free).[67]
In 2018, Amnesty International researcher Joe Westby criticized RCS for not allowing end-to-end encryption, because it is treated as a service of carriers and thus subject to lawful interception.[68][69]
The Verge in 2019 criticized the inconsistent support of RCS in the United States, with carriers not supporting RCS in all markets, not certifying service on all phones, or not yet supporting the Universal Profile. Concerns were shown over Google's decision to run its own RCS service due to the possibility of antitrust scrutiny, but it was acknowledged that Google had to do so in order to bypass the carriers' inconsistent support of RCS, as it wanted to have a service more comparable to Apple's iMessage service available on Android.[30][70]
Ars Technica in 2019 criticized Google's move to launch a direct-to-consumer RCS service, considering it a contradiction of RCS being native to the carrier to provide features reminiscent of messaging apps, counting it as being among various past and unsuccessful attempts by Google to develop an in-house messaging service (including Google Talk, Google+ Messenger, Hangouts, and Allo), and noting limitations: such as its dependencies on phone numbers as the identity (whereas email-based accounts are telco-agnostic), not being capable of being readily synchronized between multiple devices, and the aforementioned lack of end-to-end encryption.[71]
The GSMA's Universal Profile is a globally agreed-upon standard for implementing RCS. The profile allows subscribers of different carriers and nations to communicate with each other.[72] Universal Profile became the dominant RCS specification since its introduction.
Before Universal Profile RCS became the dominant RCS specification, there was a variety of proprietary RCS specifications that did not allow RCS messaging between carriers.[84] RCS combined different services defined by 3GPP and Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) with an enhanced phonebook. Another phone's capabilities and presence information could be discovered and displayed by a mobile phone. RCS reuses 3GPP specified IMS core system as the underlying service platform to take care of issues such as authentication, authorization, registration, charging and routing.
Release 1 Version 1.0 (December 15, 2008)
Release 2 Version 1.0 (August 31, 2009)
Release 3 Version 1.0 (February 25, 2010)
Release 4 Version 1.0 (February 14, 2011)
Release 5 Version 1.0 (April 19, 2012)
Release 5.1
Release 5.2 Version 5.0 (May 7, 2014)
Release 5.3 Version 6.0 (February 28, 2015)
Release 6.0 Version 7.0 (March 21, 2016)[85]
RCS-e (enhanced)
An attempt by Europe's five biggest mobile operators to galvanize RCS with a simplified version of RCS.[7]
Joyn
Joyn was a service brand of RCS-e.[7] The GSMA defined a series of specific implementations of the RCS specifications. The RCS specifications often defined a number of options for implementing individual communications features, resulting in challenges in delivering interoperable services between carriers. The RCS specifications aimed to define a more specific implementation that promotes standardization and simplify interconnection between carriers.
Universal Profile is currently backed by "a large and growing ecosystem" (68 supporters in 2019). Universal Profile support is optional in 4G, but mandatory in 5G networks and devices.[90]
Operator | Country | Launch date | Note |
---|---|---|---|
Movistar | Spain | June 2012 | [93] Branded as joyn. |
MetroPCS | United States | November 2012 | [93] Branded as joyn. |
KT | South Korea | December 2012 | [93][94] Branded as joyn. Discontinued in 2016. |
LG U+ | South Korea | December 2012 | [93][94] Branded as joyn. Discontinued in 2016. |
SK Telecom | South Korea | December 2012 | [93][94] Branded as joyn. |
Deutsche Telekom | Germany | February 2013 | [93] Branded as Message+[95] |
Telcel | Mexico | February 2013 | [93] Branded as joyn. |
Claro | Multiple markets | May 2013 | [93] Branded as joyn. |
Sprint | United States | October 2013 | Launched as a separate application |
U.S. Cellular | United States | October 2018 | Universal Profile [96] |
Telekom | Romania | June 2014 | [97][98] Branded as joyn. |
Slovak Telekom | Slovakia | June 2014 | [97][98] Branded as joyn. |
O2 | Germany | 2015 | [99] Branded as Message+Call. |
SFR | France | May 2015 | [100][101] Initially branded as joyn, now RCS.[102] |
T-Mobile US | United States | July 2015 - September 2023 | [103] Branded as Advanced Messaging. In June 2023, T-Mobile US converted to Google Jibe for RCS services.[104] |
AT&T | United States | November 2015 - June 2023 | Branded as Advanced Messaging and Video Call.[105][106] In June 2023, AT&T converted to Google Jibe for RCS services.[107] |
MTS | Russia | December 2015 | [108] Branded as MTS Connect. |
Airtel | India | February 2016 | |
Jio | India | September 2016 | [109] Branded as Jio4GVoice. |
Rogers Wireless | Canada | December 2016 | Universal Profile. |
Fido Solutions | Canada | December 2016 | Universal Profile. |
Telenor | Multiple markets | February 2017 | Universal Profile.[110] |
Celcom | Malaysia | May 2017 | Universal Profile. |
Vodafone | Multiple markets | 2012-2017 | [111] Universal Profile.[112]
[93][113][114][115][116] First Branded as joyn. Since November 2013 Message+. |
Telstra | Australia | October 2017 | Branded as Telstra Messaging.[117] Universal Profile v2.[118] |
Telia Company | Sweden | December 2017 | Branded as SMS+.[119] |
Telia Company | Norway | February 2018 | Branded as SMS+.[119] |
Globe Telecom | Philippines | February 2018 | Universal Profile |
NTT Docomo | Japan | May 2018 | Branded as +Message.[120] |
KDDI | Japan | May 2018 | Branded as +Message.[120] |
SoftBank Corp. | Japan | May 2018 | Branded as +Message.[120] |
Rakuten Mobile | Japan | April 2020 | As part of Link application.[121] |
Freedom Mobile | Canada | October 2018 | Universal Profile. |
Verizon | United States | December 2018 | Branded as Chat and launched as part of Android's default Messenger app with initial rollout for Pixel 3 phones. By 2022, Google's Messages app with RCS became the default messaging app for Android phones on Verizon.[122] In February 2024, Verizon announced a conversion to Google Jibe for RCS services.[123] |
Google Fi Wireless | United States | January 2019 | Universal Profile. |
Google (Note: Not a carrier) | 🌐 Global | November 2019 | In Google's Messages app, if a carrier does not provide Universal Profile RCS, Google provides RCS.[124] |
Telekom Albania | Albania | Universal Profile. | |
Bell | Canada | Universal Profile. | |
China Mobile | China | Universal Profile. | |
Orange | Multiple markets | 2012-2019[125] | Branded as Chat Messages in Romania,[126] joyn elsewhere.[93][97][98]
[127] Since July 2018 branded as Chat - Universal profile in Slovakia. [128] Service in France was interrupted as of 14 November 2017. |
Boost | United States | Universal Profile. | |
COSMOTE | Greece | Branded as Message+[129] | |
Telekom | Hungary | Universal Profile. | |
Vodacom | South Africa | Universal Profile. | |
Telkom Mobile | South Africa | Universal Profile.[130] | |
Illinois Valley Cellular | United States | Universal Profile. | |
Tiercel Wireless | United States | Universal Profile. | |
TracFone Wireless | United States | Universal Profile. | |
Swisscom | Switzerland | April 2020 | Branded as Message+ [131] Discontinued in 2023. |
Proximus | Belgium | August 2020[132] | |
MTS | Russia | October 2020 | Only for Samsung smartphones and only for Moscow customers,[133] MTS Connect still works for all MTS customers |
Base | Belgium | February 2021[125] |
Like SMS, RCS requires national and international interconnects to enable roaming. As with SMS, this will be accomplished with hubbing - where third-party providers complete agreements with individual operators to interwork their systems. Each subsequent operator that connects to a hub is therefore connected automatically to all other connected operators. This eliminates the need to each operator to connect to all the others to which they may need to send messages.[134] RCS hubs are provided by stakeholders with a vested interest in increasing RCS use. These include traditional SMS hub providers (e.g. Global Message Services and Sinch), software and hardware vendors (e.g. Interop Technologies, Mavenir, and ZTE), and also Google via its Jibe Cloud platform.[135]