Google’s mission to replace SMS with RCS messaging just took a major step forward globally

Google is doubling down on its efforts to expedite the rollout of Rich Communication Services (RCS) with the news that it’s launching with 27 carriers and device manufacturers globally.
Initially launched as a project under the GSMA in 2008, RCS is touted as a successor to SMS, one that mimics modern messaging services such as WhatsApp in that it offers additional features, such as group messaging, IP voice calls, and file-sharing. But unlike mobile messaging apps, it works over cellular n