Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a communication protocol between mobile telephone carriers and between phone and carrier, aiming to replace SMS messages with a text-message system that is richer, provides phonebook polling, and can transmit multimedia content. RCS enables more dynamic and secure conversations than SMS and MMS, and it is designed as a modern take on texting that rolls features from Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and WhatsApp into one platform. Some of the features of RCS messaging include:
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Higher-quality images and larger messages: RCS messaging has a file size limit that spans into megabytes, not kilobytes, allowing users to send more multimedia content such as audio and video.
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Location sharing: RCS messaging supports location sharing.
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Group chats: RCS messaging supports advanced group messaging.
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Encryption: RCS messaging supports encryption.
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Read receipts: RCS messaging supports read receipts, which show when someone has read or received your message.
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Real-time billing: RCS messaging supports carrier management features like real-time billing, message rerouting, and message blocking.
RCS messaging is available only for certain devices, service providers, and carriers. To activate RCS chats in Messages, users need to turn on RCS chats in their messaging app. RCS messaging is convenient for the average user, but it also provides new opportunities for businesses. RCS messaging allows businesses to send higher-quality images and larger messages, location sharing, and more multimedia content to their customers.
