Spanish carriers set to be first to launch RCS-e services
Spain is to be the first country in the world to commercially launch the GSMA’s RCS-e (Rich Communication Suite-enhanced) service with all three of the country’s main operators pledging to make the software available in handsets in the first half of this year.
“RCS-e technology will be available in select handsets during the first half of 2012 and this technology is expected to be directly built-in the software of some smartphones next summer,” said a joint statement from Telefonica, Vodafone and Orange.
The IMS-based RCS-e technology has three main elements: an ‘advanced Phonebook,’ instant multimedia messaging, and ‘enriched’ calling features. The software allows users to share images or live video while communicating with other RCS-e users via voice call or chat.
“Handset manufactures' full integration of RCS-e into the native operating system of smartphones will allow an easy customer experience, that will be optimised for every smartphone as it is today with voice and SMS,” said Javier Aguilera, Director of Business Development at Telefonica España.
RCS-e is thought to offer operators a more attractive alternative to supporting third-party messaging and sharing services, making services interoperable across networks and devices.
"In contrast to other existing services, with RCS-e the operators increase the reliability and quality of customers’ communications by using this advanced enriched platform,” said Thierry Piganeau, Director of the Mobile Business Unit at Orange.
Announced at last year's GSMA Mobile World Congress, RCS-e is based on a specification put forward by Bharti, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Orascom Telecom, SK Telecom, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telenor and Vodafone which aims to speed up the market introduction and adoption of instant messaging (IM), live video sharing and file transfer services.