Celcom will be the first telco in Malaysia to adopt Rich Communication Service (RCS) for their carrier messaging services on Android. Using Google’s end-to-end platform, the new service will be available on devices using Android Messages as the default messaging application and will be supported by Celcom’s network.

Android messages will be a step in moving away from SMS and bringing features including group chat, high res photo sharing and read receipts. Celcom plans to use RCS to deliver rich interactive services for its customers.

Michael Kuehner, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad said Celcom customers would greatly benefit from the launch of RCS as it delivers a new messaging service that would further enhance our customers’ digital experience.

“Celcom is honoured to be the first network provider in Malaysia to work with Google on RCS. We look forward to innovating with Google to deliver new services on the messaging platform in the near future,” he said.

The RCS initiative was first announced by Google February 2016, and since then has garnered partners including Sprint, Rogers, Orange, Deutsche Telekom and Globe Telecom. The RCS messaging is powered by the Jibe RCS cloud from Google, which also supports the universal RCS profile. This effort is in line with the GSM Association’s (GSMA) vision and complies with the Universal Profile for Rich Communications Services.