有別於過去單一運營商透過 App 方式支援 Rich Communications Services 效果不彰。Google 收購了 Jibe[1] 之後,已經將 RCS[2] 整合入 Google Messenger,並預載在 Pixel 品牌手機上。透過 Android 平台來推展 RCS 支援與標準[4][5],Sprint[2][3] 會是第一家開始搭售 Google RCS 客戶端的電信運營商。不想內建 Google Messenger 的手機公司,像是 Samsung[6] 則是透過收購 NewNet 的方式取得技術。
目前 RCS Universal profile 開放規格[7]只是出第一階段規格書,包含基本的通訊協議規格,2017 年第二季會發出下一階段規格書,將會包含 Messaging as a Platform, APIs, plug-in integration 等規格。
RCS Universal profile 是基於 RCS 5.3 定義,基本上補強了協議擴充功能與互通性。但是 3GPP RCS 規格與 China Mobile 的 NGCC (Next-Generation Converged Communication)[8],現階段有很大的差異性。
Universal Profile 中偏好的協議實踐方法與中國移動不同,但目前全球最大 RCS 網路系統中是由中興通訊為中國移動建制,已開始 App 內部試商用階段,如果未來兩份通訊協議規格無法統一互通,那麼中國市場可能會變成擁有強大影響力的孤立市場。
[1] Jibe – https://jibe.google.com/
[2] Google brings RCS, the next-gen upgrade to SMS, to Android phones on Sprint – https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/04/google-brings-rcs-the-next-gen-upgrade-to-sms-to-android-phones-on-sprint/
[3] Sprint is the First Carrier to Launch RCS Messaging with Google | Sprint Newsroom – http://newsroom.sprint.com/blogs/devices-apps-and-services/sprint-is-the-first-carrier-to-launch-rcs-messaging-with-google.htm
[4] Global Operators, Google and the GSMA Align Behind Adoption of Rich Communications Services – NewsroomNewsroom – http://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/global-operators-google-and-the-gsma-align-behind-adoption-of-rcs/
[5] GSMA Initiative to Drive Global Adoption of Universal Profile for Rich Communications Services Gains Momentum – NewsroomNewsroom – http://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/gsma-initiative-drive-global-adoption-universal-profile/
[6] Samsung Acquires Rich Communications Services Business from Skyview Capital’s NewNet Communication Technologies https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-acquires-rich-communications-services-business-from-skyview-capitals-newnet-communication-technologies
[7] Universal profile – Network 2020 – http://www.gsma.com/network2020/universal-profile/
[8] China Mobile – Next-Generation Converged Communication – http://www.gsma.com/network2020/rcs/china-mobile-next-generation-converged-communication/
[9] http://www.gsma.com/network2020/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/RCC.71_v1.0.pdf
[10] Documents – Network 2020Network 2020 – http://www.gsma.com/network2020/specs-and-product-docs/