RCS Messaging
What is RCS messaging?
RCS messaging, where RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, is a communication protocol that enables users to send messages with rich multimedia experiences and advanced functionality compared to SMS. The goal of RCS Messaging is to replace SMS.
History of RCS messaging
To learn the history of RCS, we must go back to the birth of SMS, way back in 1982.
The original idea behind SMS was to send texts via the same signaling system that controlled telephone traffic (it took nearly a decade of work!). And in December of 1992, Neil Papworth texted “merry Christmas” to a customer with the first ever SMS message.
By 2010, 6.1 trillion messages were being exchanged by cellular devices. Cut to 2022 – 15 million texts are sent every minute!
The rise in SMS also led to the birth of apps like WhatsApp, Line, and Facebook Messenger – apps that only continued to grow in popularity as they gained over 1.2 billion users.
Despite this, SMS hasn’t changed all that much, never evolving beyond its 160-character limits. That’s when the idea of RCS messaging came about – it was time for a change.
What’s the difference between RCS, SMS, and MMS messaging?
So how does RCS relate to other primarily messaging formats?
Let’s find out!
SMS (Short Message Service): It’s the most commonly used form of texting, and best of all, you don’t need mobile data or WiFi to send or receive them!
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service): As the name implies, you can send multimedia formats like video, audio, GIFs, and images.
RCS (Rich Communication Services): RCS combines the best of the SMS and MMS into their Android platform. RCS is exclusive to improving the Android messaging experience.
How to use RCS messaging
If you’re using Android Messages to text your friends and family, you can use RCS chat.
Google and Samsung partnered together so that RCS works seamlessly on both Android Message apps and Samsung Messages.
RCS is not universally supported. You might not be able to use it if you own a non-Android device like an iPhone.
If you already have an Android, you can activate RCS messaging by:
- Download Google’s Messages app if you don’t already have it.
- Open the app and select the three-dot menu in the top-right.
- Go to settings, then General.
- Once under General, select Chat features.
- If Chat is something your device can use, you’ll be able to tap a slider and select “Yes, I’m in” from a popup.
- Now, all you have to do is verify your number, and you’ve got RCS!
Now you can check read receipts and see if your friends are typing messages.
What are the benefits of RCS?
RCS messaging is designed to make messaging more attractive and affordable for Android users. It adds read receipts, lets you know when someone is typing, and adds reactions to messages.
RCS Messaging seeks to bring SMS to the next generation with some of the features that major over-the-top messaging application providers like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Facebook Messenger offer today like audio and video messages, high-resolution imagery, read receipts, and real-time response notifications.
Who supports RCS messaging?
Because RCS is a newer protocol, it is not yet supported by all device manufacturers or all carriers.
There are around 60 supporters. This number is split between mobile operators, OEMs, and OS providers. Carriers like T-Mobile were eager to add this feature, but some were wary of the software and network updates required. That’s why Google services RCS messages via an app so they don’t have to count on carrier support.
What’s the future of RCS?
More and more business markets are starting to include RCS messaging to better engage their customers. This kind of messaging is a way to
stand out from competitors and keep customers engaged.
Use RCS messaging with Bandwidth
Bandwidth is currently in the discovery phase for implementing RCS into its Messaging platform. Ready to implement RCS into your business? Join the RCS Messaging Beta!
Why RCS Messaging Services?
Reach your customers in a powerful way and communicate with confidence by leveraging intuitive RCS messaging.
- Keep your customers informed with the latest business updates such as product announcements and offers.
- Earn customer loyalty by sending order confirmations, delivery information, etc. using engaging elements like emoji 😊
- Inform customers about delivery delays, unavailability of products, and related details in real-time.
- Communicate with your customers regularly to build customer relationships and increase customer value.
- Rule the mind of your potential and existing buyers by sending engaging messaging that keeps them connected.
- Analyze the success of your marketing campaign by tracking the read receipts and actions, which is not possible in SMS texting.
RCS Messaging Feature
Interactive Media
Want to send QR codes? Leverage RCS messaging to send rich media like QR codes, attractive images, HD videos, and more to your customers right on their mobile phones.
Custom Branding
Enhance your business branding, increase your brand awareness, and make your messages more presentable by adding your logo or tag line to the profile picture.
Instant Response
Add custom actionable buttons to the end of the brand-marketing message to help customers respond instantly or participate in the conversation more actively.
Quick Replies
Want to engage busy customers with your brand? Send messages equipped with suggested replies that prevent customers from typing in the message, yet responding quickly.
Detailed Insights
Get notified immediately as soon as the customer opens the message and track the success of your message marketing campaign by tracking customer responses.
File Sharing
Share high-resolution images, videos, large documents such as product catalogs, brochures, and newsletters with customers to keep them informed.
Carousels
Enhances customer experience by providing rich media carousel that enables customers to browse
Payment Link
Makes payments easy by directly connecting with bank accounts or payment wallets.
RCS Messaging FAQs
What is RCS Messaging?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a next generation SMS protocol that upgrades text messages with Rich features like branding, media, and analytics.
How do I know if I have RCS messaging?
If your A2P SMS messages to customer are delivered without your log and a safety check box, then you may assume you do not have RCS. Since RCS is a new service you will need to apply with your SMS provider to get RCS for your brand.
Is RCS messaging free?
Your SMS partner may charge for making you RCS compliance. As of yet the there are no additional charges on messaging for RCS.
What phones support RCS?
The initial RCS partnership involved Google and only one phone manufacturer – Samsung. But now many phones are compatible with RCS. Manufacturers that support RCS include: Google Pixel 3, 3a, and 4 series, Archos, BQ, Cherry Mobile, Condor, Fly, General Mobile, HMD Global, HTC, Kyocera, Lanix, Lava, LeEco, LG, Micromax, Motorola, MyPhone, QMobile, Sony, Symphony, Wiko, Samsung Galaxy S9, S10, and S20 series, Samsung Galaxy Note 10 series, and ZTE.
The availability of RCS on these devices depends on the country and carrier network. With its Early Access Program, Google is helping brands adopt RCS business messaging. To know more, request early access.
How does RCS work?
RCS is very much like WhatsApp, with everything (live chat, multimedia support, etc.) handled via the user’s data network (mobile or WiFi). For it to work (on Android), the mobile carrier, and the user’s device and the messaging app must all support the protocol. The recipient’s device, carrier, and OS must also support RCS, otherwise, all RCS messages from the sender will revert to plain SMS in the recipient’s interface.
RCS works because of the Universal Profile, a single industry-standard set of features and technical enablers to simplify RCS development and global deployment. In the U.S., four big carrier networks, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, have formed the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI) to standardise RCS, independently of Google.
To enable RCS messaging in a compatible phone (e.g. Samsung with Android Messages), users only need to follow the on-screen prompts from within the app.
Does RCS use Wi-Fi?
RCS uses either Wi-Fi or mobile data to send messages. So as long as the senders and recipients’ phones and carriers support RCS, and both devices are connected to the Internet, RCS will work. On a mobile network, text-based conversations on RCS use only a small amount of mobile data.
For sending large files, images or videos, they will count significantly towards the data limits set by the carrier. Therefore, it’s usually better to send such files over Wi-Fi (unless the WiFi requires additional payment for RCS messages). Roaming charges may also apply for mobile data.
What are limitations with RCS?
RCS only works with Google Messages App (Ver 5.4 onwards) in android handsets and Apple users cannot avail this service.
RCS Currently works with Airtel, Vodafone-IDEA & JIO Operators and this will not work with BSNL and MTNL for now.
Supported Regions are North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
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