Text Messaging Is About To Get As Smart As iMessage

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint joined their forces to “transform messaging.” With this, the carriers want to encourage the adoption of a technology through which users will be able to enjoy new features that allow them to see when someone is writing back, as well as receive notifications when someone has seen their message.

“Texting is trusted, reliable and readily available — which is why we’re using it to build the foundation of a simple, immersive messaging experience,” said David Christopher, EVP and GM of AT&T Mobility.

Trough the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative, the four big US carriers will use the Rich Communications Service to make text messages as smart as iMessage. The initiative will work on Android phones also, starting 2020 and it will work on individual messages and group chats too.

The companies have long term plans with the RCS, aiming to make it available worldwide.

“Efforts like CCMI help move the entire industry forward so we can give customers more of what they want and roll out new messaging capabilities that work the same across providers and even across countries,” said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile.