Vodacom and Google ironing out agreement over RCS

Jan

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Why Vodacom cut off RCS

Vodacom says that Rich Communication Services (RCS) text messages sent over its data network are not currently delivering because it is busy finalising an agreement with Google.

This comes after a handful of Vodacom customers reported in August that RCS had stopped working for them and messages were either not sending, or being sent as SMSes.
 
Why Vodacom cut off RCS?
@mybb stop asking stupid questions. The answer is obvious.
A. Because Vodacom charges 50c per SMS all day and does not want to lose this revenue so Vodacom can pay the Please-Call-Me guy.

Until March 2023, Vodacom directly supported RCS on its network.
Worked for free using Google servers. Now blocked by Vodacom to drive 50c revenue back to Vodacom - see answer (1) above.

RCS offers features like group chats and support for file uploads, including rich media like images and videos.
Sounds just like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal.
Just use a secure system like Signal.

“Apple’s implementation of RCS is based on the industry’s standard. RCS messages aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices,” it states.
Nothing to do with Apple.
RCS standard does not mandate end-to-end encryption.
Google's implementation did not have end-to-end encryption until recently.
Just use Signal.
 
 
@mybb stop asking stupid questions. The answer is obvious.
A. Because Vodacom charges 50c per SMS all day and does not want to lose this revenue so Vodacom can pay the Please-Call-Me guy.
They're not making money out of this. Most people use Whatsapp in any case and it's mostly IM users that use RCS as some sort of universal system which it isn't really.
 
So what? This is because of Apple? It has been working flawlessly till recently when Apple came to the scene...which is great....but why is this affecting existing Android users? Get the agreeemenets in place and the interconnect...soak test....if all is good...go live.

And yes...I understand for many this does not matter...but it is a standards for GSMSA...so got us so inclined it does matter.
 
They're not making money out of this. Most people use Whatsapp in any case and it's mostly IM users that use RCS as some sort of universal system which it isn't really.
If Vodacom is "not making money out of this" why they blocking Google RCS?
The original design of RCS was that carriers would implement RCS servers.
Most carries ignored the standard.
Eventually Google implemented RCS servers to drive adoption of RCS and move people away from WhatsApp.
Google initially did not have encryption - only when there was an outcry did google do "the right thing"

RCS is meant to replace 50c SMS.
If RCS server is provided by VodaCom, then Vodacom can charge for it.
If RCS server is provided by Google, then it's "free" (ie. you are the product).

Vodacom don't want to lose the last little bit of 50c SMS revenue and don't want to concede to Google.

Sure most people use Whatsapp, but Vodacom not prepared to give up the good 50c fight.
 
If Vodacom is "not making money out of this" why they blocking Google RCS?
The original design of RCS was that carriers would implement RCS servers.
Most carries ignored the standard.
Eventually Google implemented RCS servers to drive adoption of RCS and move people away from WhatsApp.
Google initially did not have encryption - only when there was an outcry did google do "the right thing"

RCS is meant to replace 50c SMS.
If RCS server is provided by VodaCom, then Vodacom can charge for it.
If RCS server is provided by Google, then it's "free" (ie. you are the product).

Vodacom don't want to lose the last little bit of 50c SMS revenue and don't want to concede to Google.

Sure most people use Whatsapp, but Vodacom not prepared to give up the good 50c fight.
That was the original idea but it was never standardised and implemented. RCS and SMS doesn't play in the same space.
 
@Jan - @Ockie -Thank you we appreciated your input.
The old Stalwart Txt/Sms then stays, still functions reliably.
Those IM varieties are consumer choices not compulsory as peer pressure loves to indicate.
 
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Down with RCS. I am a strong believer that MNO must be dumb packet carriers for the last mile and should not even know what is in the packets.

Using any service that feeds the bureaucracy must be avoided. I mean why does an IP service require network approval?

They should shut up and route my IP packets.
 
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