Texts have existed in some form for over three decades. Many of the technologies behind today’s messaging apps are quite old and, honestly, outdated.
There’s a rich history connected to those cute emojis and the option to set up group chats.
What is RCS Chat?
RCS is not exactly a new concept. In fact, it has been around longer than both iMessage and WhatsApp.
The GSMA proposed this new standard in 2007, just five years after MMS was introduced. It was clear that something needed to be done to update the old messaging standard for the upcoming smartphone era.
However, with so many carriers and device makers involved, RCS struggled to make real progress.
Things started to change when Google took an interest in RCS. In 2015, Google bought Jibe Mobile and announced in early 2016 that it would lead the way into an RCS future.
Later that year, Google teamed up with Sprint to implement RCS on that carrier’s network.
In 2019, the major U.S. carriers developed their own plans for RCS to keep up with Google.
At that time, Sprint was in the process of being acquired by T-Mobile, which made the Google-Sprint partnership less significant.
Their initiative, called the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI), aimed to implement RCS in a way that wouldn’t create another messaging service like iMessage, which they wouldn’t control or profit from.
Unfortunately, this collaboration fell apart, leaving Google primarily in charge of RCS.
This turn of events might have been beneficial because the CCMI reportedly wanted to create a separate RCS app that would just add another messaging option to the market.
In contrast, Google had already incorporated RCS into its updated Google Messages app, which serves as a replacement for SMS.
Instead of creating their own messaging apps, carriers and manufacturers have slowly started using Google Messages as the default app on all their devices.
Even Samsung, which has its own RCS-compatible app called Samsung Messages, now sets Google Messages as the default on its latest smartphones.
While Samsung Messages comes preinstalled and can be set as the default for those who prefer it, it still operates on the same RCS standard as Google Messages.
Google has also enhanced RCS by adding its own version of end-to-end encryption in Google Messages, which is not currently included in the RCS Universal Standard.
Is RCS the SMS Replacement?
RCS aims to replace SMS as the next generation of messaging protocols, but it’s unlikely that traditional SMS will disappear anytime soon.
One reason is that RCS relies on a mobile data connection, similar to services like WhatsApp and iMessage. In contrast, SMS operates over a voice-only cellular connection.
This means SMS should still be available as a backup when there’s no cellular data or Wi-Fi. The Google Messages app already manages this transition, just as Apple’s Messages app has done with iMessage.
RCS probably won’t reach feature phones, which is an important point to consider. Not everyone desires or requires a smartphone.
There’s still a demand for people who prefer simple phones for calling. Some feature phones are even tougher than the most durable smartphones, making them ideal for those working in risky environments.
This means SMS will still be necessary for texting on these devices.
However, as RCS develops and becomes the norm for all smartphones, we might find ourselves using traditional SMS messages less often.
