Wholesaler BICS has teamed up with messaging specialist Openmind to offer hosted rich communication services (RCS) to telcos.
The solution combines Openmind’s Traffic Control platform with BICS’ IPX infrastructure to enable a fixed-line or mobile operator to quickly add whichever RCS app it wants, such as instant messaging, video calling, file-sharing, and so on.
"As a hosted service, mobile operators can launch RCS services rapidly and with minimised efforts. This model enables providers to act decisively in the fast moving battlefield of next generation personal communication services," said Mikaël Schachne, vice president of BICS’ mobile data business, in a statement.
"The partnership between Openmind and BICS to develop this offering blends technology and market reach," added Openmind CEO Alex Duncan.
"Mobile operators now have the opportunity to quickly launch a ric her set of services, not available elsewhere, from an independent, well known, globally connected and established wholesale carrier," he said.
However, it remains to be seen whether the collaboration between BICS and Openmind will give the GSMA’s RCS a new lease of life. The initiative was developed over a number of years to give operators the ability to offer carrier grade, next-generation communication services.
It finally rolled out commercially in 2012 under the name Joyn. While it has been implemented by a number of operators worldwide, the majority of consumers prefer to use over-the-top (OTT) services such as Skype and WhatsApp.
