arrow_back Back to Articles

RCS update will add native video call support, text formatting – eventually - 9to5Google

GSMA March 26, 2026 high impact

RCS messaging standard to gain native video calling and text formatting capabilities Google and the GSMA are advancing Rich Communication Services (RCS) with planned updates to include native video call support and enhanced text formatting options. While these features represent significant improvements to RCS as a modern SMS alternative, implementation timelines remain uncertain. The updates aim to make RCS more competitive with over-the-top messaging apps by adding multimedia and formatting capabilities. These enhancements could strengthen RCS adoption among carriers and device manufacturers, though rollout will be gradual across different platforms and regions.

verified

EUM / SES Relevance

RCS is a key A2P messaging channel that competes with SMS/MMS for enterprise communications. AWS EUM should monitor RCS adoption trends and feature parity to ensure comprehensive messaging coverage for customers seeking alternatives to traditional SMS delivery.

Key Takeaways

  • arrow_right_alt RCS will gain native video calling functionality to compete with modern messaging platforms
  • arrow_right_alt Text formatting capabilities are being added to enhance message presentation and user experience
  • arrow_right_alt Implementation timeline remains uncertain with phased rollout expected across platforms
  • arrow_right_alt Updates position RCS as a more feature-rich alternative to traditional SMS messaging