If you haven’t heard of RCS yet, here’s a quick rundown. As you may know, most phones currently use SMS (Short Message Service) to text. That means we’re bound by our cellular connection for messages to send successfully. It also means that we’re limited to 160 characters and lack the ability to send stickers like other messaging apps.
RCS (Rich Communication Services) will be able to turn our regular texts into a system that resembles iMessage. It’ll support read receipts and provide the ability to attach high-resolution photos, GIFS, and videos. Additionally, it allows for a longer message and attachment of a larger file. It’s the more modern, up-to-date version of texting that we need among all this technological advancement.
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint are all backing up RCS and intend to replace SMS with RCS in 2020. These four major cellular carriers have formed the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI), intending to push out RCS and change the standard. Having all four of these carriers on board will ideally allow for a seamless and smooth transition and user experience.
Although Apple has yet to make any statements regarding RCS, Google has been supporting it. They even rolled out RCS in the France and UK themselves through their own services. Therefore, with the support of these four cellular company giants, RCS has a bright future and the change may come even sooner. It’s time to say goodbye to SMS.