Google, Sprint Launch RCS

Google and Sprint have partnered to deploy the GSMA’s Universal Profile for Advanced Messaging , allowing customers of Sprint’s service to use the Messenger app for Android devices seamlessly with carrier text messaging, while upgrading features.

Sprint is the first mobile operator to launch the new universal RCS profile, adding features including group chat, high-res photo sharing, read receipts, and more to the standard messaging experience on Android.

The universal profile also aims to ensure a consistent messaging service across mobile devices and service providers globally.

Adoption of RCS arguably has been slow, and also competes, as a standard, with WebRTC. Indeed, some predict that over the top messaging usage already vastly exceeds carrier messaging.

source: Analysys Mason   

The Universal Profile aims to reduce cost and time-to-market for device suppliers by allowing them to use the same client for both operator customers and open market devices. It will also mean that users have uniform feature sets and a consistent user experience.

In 2017, all new Android devices from Sprint will come pre-loaded with Messenger for Android.

“We are delighted that Sprint has become the first operator to roll out the Universal Profile to their subscribers and hope that this will encourage other markets across the world to follow their lead,” said Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer, GSMA.