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Rich communication services (RCS) have been around for
several years, but RCS messaging is picking up steam —
particularly with Apple adding RCS capabilities with iOS 18.1
in 2024. As people become comfortable with the dynamic,
real-time messaging experience that can be found in
messaging apps, businesses are wondering whether similar
features found in RCS might help them increase customer
engagement.
But what is Rich Communication Services, and how can the
technology be used to offer a better customer experience?
What is the difference between RCS vs. short message
service (SMS)? In this post, we'll explain RCS messaging, how
it works, and how it differs from other popular messaging
services.
What is RCS messaging?
Rich Communications Services messaging is a mobile communications
protocol that enables enhanced messaging, voice, video, file transfer,
notifications, and security.
RCS supports real-time messaging, including support for adding images,
videos, and other files as needed. RCS also delivers conversational features that
are already familiar to people who use over-the-top (OTT) messaging apps,
like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. These interactive features include
group chat, typing notification, message delivery status, user tagging, and
location sharing.
RCS was designed to replace SMS messaging and multimedia messaging
service (MMS), which were the first widespread forms of messaging on mobile
phones and then smartphones. Unlike SMS messages, which can only be
transmitted across cellular voice networks, RCS conversations can take place
across cellular data networks and Wi-Fi connections.
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