Like Google, Samsung is ready to further embrace RCS messaging

It is really starting to feel as though the days of SMS and MMS are well and truly numbered. Google has already updated its Messenger app, renaming it Android Messages as it aims to branch out into Rich Communication Services, and now Samsung has announced that it's ready to jump in too.

After new tablet announcements at MWC 2017, Samsung says that its acquisition of NewNet Communication Technologies' RCS solution means it is ready to expand its messaging services. Samsung's embracing of RCS will bring features such as group messaging, file transfers and video calls to users and Samsung says its RCS cloud will help mobile operators to quickly roll out new services.

Eager to help speed up the roll out and uptake as much as possible, Samsung also says that its "RCS hub will support and simplify the interconnectivity among other RCS-enabled operators, Samsung and third-party RCS clouds." The company wants to expand as quickly as possible, and is working with a number of mobile operators around the world to accelerate things.

Yunsang Park, SVP of the Product Service Innovation Strategy Group, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics says:

We are very excited to be expanding Samsung's RCS messaging service. With this new offering, mobile customers will have a rich messaging experience built directly into their phones. Our new RCS solution, along with our supporting mobile network operator partners, will make it easier for hundreds of millions of users across the globe to access RCS messaging. We are grateful for our partners’ support and look forward to expanding our network in the future.

Samsung will support RCS on all of its Android smartphones running Marshmallow and later, and GSMA RCS specification compliance means adoption will be as easy as possible.

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