Much has been written about whether "over-the-top" services, such as Skype, WhatsApp, and iMessage represent a threat to mobile network operators, potentially relegating their role to that of a dumb pipe.
Though the industry is debating the extent to which these services will affect traditional messaging revenues, it cannot be disputed that OTT options are growing in quantity and popularity, and operators lag far behind third-party providers in offering comparable features.
A growing number of operators are looking to Rich Communication Services (RCS) to expand their service offerings in an effort to compete with OTT services. A review of the current state of third-party communication options, as well as a better understanding of RCS, can help operators determine how this industry-backed, next-generation communication solution can enhance the capabilities of their existing SMS and MMS offerings.
Read the full article from Wireless Week
