Colibria has released the results of research that reveals that has found that an overwhelming proportion of British mobile phone owners want access to RCS (Rich Communication Suite) features. The survey was carried out online by YouGov between 6 – 8 January 2010 among a nationally representative sample of 2,361 adults. 
The research found that 31% of 18-t0-14 year old want to see their friends status from within their mobile phone address book, but that only 5% have phones that offer this feature. 51% would to like to see their friends location in their address book, something that has been recently added to RCS. And 24% would like the ability to send a shout out to their contacts from their phone to say they are available to chat
Consumer demand points towards RCS needing social network integration, says Colibria, with 47%of mobile users wanting to be able to update their social network profile via their mobile phone. Colibria notes that this is currently being addressed by GSM Associations (GSMA) RCS initiative.
Messaging services are also in demand, with 44% of young mobile users saying they would find it useful to see the messaging services that their friends subscribe to displayed in their phones address book. 
Other messaging services highlighted by young mobile owners who use a social network as important in any rich communication service include the ability to chat to social network friends using their mobile (35%); and the ability to send messages to their social network friends using their mobile (42%)
Our research shows how important RCS is becoming, not only to the industry, but to consumers as well, says Paul Kemps, General Manager for Convergence products at Colibria. While the current RCS initiative is rounding out nicely, there is clearly more work to be done, especially with social network integration. We know that the GSMA is looking to address this in its current release cycle. Colibria is particularly dedicated to achieving these goals.