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Rich Communication Services https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Communication_Services

That has no details of the technicalities

RCS is the legacy telcos ongoing attempt to try to somehow get into the messaging game that all of the Internet-based communications app are doing (WhatsApp, FB Messenger, Line, Kik, Skype, iMessage, etc.).

Basically, they'd like all their SMS revenue back!

Dean Bubley had a great analysis - "Google + GSMA announcement on RCS is no gamechanger" : http://disruptivewireless.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/google-gsma...

> Basically, they'd like all their SMS revenue back!

Great! Because I'd like an open platform back such that SMS offers, unlike every messaging platform you mentioned.

http://venturebeat.com/2016/02/22/google-rcs/

it is an attempt to standardize what whatsapp made popular: instant messaging with authentication based on phone number.

the spec even includes the big-brother way of you having to hand over your contacts to pair the phone numbers to other users that whatsapp sadly made the norm.