The world's first interoperable enhanced communication service that incorporates elements of the GSMA's Rich Communication Suite (News - Alert) specifications is now available as a live commercial service in South Korea. The RCS initiative from GSMA is supported by handset vendors, core network vendors and mobile operators such as KT (News - Alert), and SK Telecom.

 

The RCS initiative from GSMA provides operators with the ability to launch a variety of feature-rich communication services that will make mobile devices even more important in a user’s life. For telecommunications players who were involved in the initiative, RCS will assist the adoption of mobile applications and services to deliver rich communications experience to their customers.

 

According to Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer at the GSMA, the company is pleased that three leading mobile operators in South Korea, KT, LG Telecom and SK Telecom (News - Alert) have launched the world's first commercial service incorporating key elements of the GSMA's Rich Communication Suite.

 

The services offered by the three South Korean operators include KT's “show moov,” SK Telecom's Mobile Messenger and LG Telecom's OZ messenger. Since KT's show moov client application is available for mobile and PC platforms, users will be able to access RCS services from mobile and fixed terminals. SK Telecom and KT are also collaborating with fixed line services. For instance, KT's show moov is integrated with a major portal's e-mail, search services and SK Telecom's mobile messenger is linked with a popular messenger Nate on Messenger in Korea.

 

The GSMA’s (News - Alert) Rich Communication Suite provides a feature-rich portfolio of services to unleash the communities hidden in a user’s phone book. RCS services have been developed by the collaborative efforts of leading telecommunication companies. The Enhanced Address Book service will provide presence and capability indications and enable users to initiate communications including voice calls, video calls, file transfers or messaging.

 

The Rich Call service will enable users to exchange different types of content like video or photos during a call, whereas Rich Messaging will expand on traditional instant messaging to simplify multiple messaging mediums and provide a richer user experience.

 

SK Telecom and KT are active participants in GSMA's RCS initiative. The new interoperable commercial services in South Korea will provide opportunities for feedback, which will assist the creation of new use cases as the RCS specification focus moves into the PC to mobile domain.