Cloud communications for mobile firm Sinch has announced a partnership agreement with WIT Software which it hopes will increase the take-up of Rich Communication Service (RCS) from businesses and consumers.

Sinch will use WIT technology as a part of its RCS-as-a-Service offering to mobile operators who look for an RCS solution for their subscribers and enterprise customers.

What is RCS?
RCS is a new protocol that is planned to replace SMS and adds new features to it such as support for group chat and read receipts like Apples iMessage and WhatsApp.

For businesses, RCS can position business messaging as a viable alternative to apps with no download of an app required and can automate interactions that are now handled by live agents in call centers.

Recent research by MobileSquared shows that brands will spend $18bn on RCS business messaging by 2023 and Sinch CEO Oscar Werner says the company is seeing an increase in interest from mobile operators to use RCS as a way to communicate with consumers.

“Mobile operators around the world are now recognizing that RCS is key to improve the carrier messaging experience, safeguard existing wholesale business, and expand the addressable market for mobile operators,” said Luis Silva, CEO of WIT Software.

Watch an interview with Sinch with Mobile Marketing Magazine below