RCS: the iMessage for Android

The Android Community has been abuzz for awhile about Rich Communication Services (RCS). This important new Advanced Messaging standard includes native support for many great features right out of the box that competes beautifully with iMessage. AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are jumping in on RCS this year, along with Google fully embracing it. 

What is RCS?

Essentially, RCS is enhanced SMS and MMS. The SMS protocol was designed long before cell networks could carry data. RCS is a new technology that can be integrated with your contacts to see who supports the standard. Labeled as Advanced Messaging in America, RCS is a response by Google to improve messaging functionality.

For Google, who is largely behind this, RCS represents a way to controlling the messaging experience, much like how Apple controls the iMessage experience on iOS devices. While not technically true to say that RCS is the iMessage of Android, the end result is the same functionality.

RCS is better than over-the-top (OTT) messaging apps, like Skype, Viber, or Facebook messenger because it is tied to your phone number and not to an account that you have to log into. Advanced messaging will not be compatible with iMessage but it does provide the same functionality, despite being a different standard.  

Why should I use it?

RCS will allow for dynamic features like higher quality picture messaging, with the cap now up to a decent 10MB per photo or video. You will be able to see when and if your message was received and you will be able to tell if the other person is typing. Friends can join a chat if the group option is enabled and there is essentially no limit of the length of a text message. SMS does not allow any of this and MMS depends on the telecom you use with messaging caps set below 2MB. 

All of this functionality currently exists, but not natively. Other OTT apps provide these services for Android users but they need to search out, download, install, and finally setup an account on a third party platform. The hope is that in the future you will be able to share media like posts and even your location while still in a conversation, beyond the scope of today's OTT apps.

However, like with iMessage, all parties in the conversation must have a compatible cell network and messaging app. If you communicate with someone who cannot use Advanced Messaging, rest assured that the fallback is the SMS and MMS protocols. SMS support will be maintained for quite some time for backwards compatibility across older devices.

When can I start using it?

RCS is kinda already here, but not really. A wide roll-out is not expected til Q3 2017. T-Mobile is branding their implementation of the RCS standard as Advanced Messaging

To expedite the compatibility of RCS, it is being tied in with the new GSMA specification, Universal Profile. The Universal Profile is an industry agreed upon set of standards that set a common list of features for developers. While the standard is actually not that new, the industry is only just now fully supporting it.

In the US, T-Mobile and Sprint currently support the Universal Profile standard. Verizon does not. If you are a long time Android user, you might already enjoy the early benefits of RCS/Advanced Messaging but thanks to Google, the Q3 roll-out of the Universal Profile will solidify support for SMS and MMS services.

Enhanced messaging is almost here for all Android users. The Universal Profile will allow for different phones on different networks to seamlessly enjoy the Advanced Messaging functionality simply by sending a text message. Gone is the need to use an OTT, like Facebook Messenger. RCS is a great new service with great features that every Android user will enjoy.

We at PC TEC RESCUERS want to answer any questions you might have about these exciting new technologies and standards. Contact us with any tech or computer related question. Our friendly techs are available to take your call 24/7!