RCS messages are not as “easy”, always in quotes, to expand as a stand-alone application. We are talking about an evolution of SMS and MMS messaging and, therefore, requires the collaboration of the operators. Hence, the deployment is being slower than Google would like, although now Pepephone has activated them. Quietly, yes. We show you how to take advantage of them.
The same road as SMS and MMS, but in a faster lane
As we have briefly explained before, RCS messages are an evolution of the SMS of a lifetime, and even of the MMS that came later and that passed unnoticed. The difference here is that RCS messages are completely free. Because although many operators no longer charge for SMS, some do set sending limits. With the RCS that also disappears.
The RCS serve, in fact, to chat through a dedicated channel in the operator. Infinite messages as long as you have a signal. Though you need the other person to support them too Well, otherwise, everything that comes out of your application will become an SMS and therefore the count will start. Or the charge, depending on your rate. That is why it is important that all operators support them. And that is why it is important that Pepephone has implemented them as other operators have done before. (Vodafone, Movistar, O2 and Orange)
To be able to take advantage of RCS messages as a Pepephone customer, all you have to do is go to the Google Messages app on your Android (the iPhone doesn’t support them now and doesn’t want to in the future) and activate the chat functions in the settings. If your line is compatible, and those of Pepephone already are, you will see your number appear next to the ‘Connected’ message. Done, you can now chat using this app with any contact that also supports this messaging.
In the event that the other does not support it, you will see that your messages are not marked as ‘Chatting’ but as ‘SMS’. It will be the key that tells you if RCS messaging is also supported on the other side. So if you want to leave WhatsApp aside a bit and switch to RCS, Pepephone has opened the door to its customers. Now it is their decision to cross it or not.
Via | Broadband