The Evolution of Mobile Messaging: From SMS to RCS and Beyond

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This study examines the evolution of mobile messaging technologies, tracing the progression from short message service to rich communication services and evaluating the potential of RCS to redefine mobile communication. With the integration of features such as multimedia sharing, read receipts, and interactive functionalities, RCS is positioned to bridge traditional SMS capabilities and modern OTT messaging, offering an enhanced, unified platform directly within mobile carrier infrastructure. Employing a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA standards, we analyzed relevant literature from leading databases to identify the technological, business, and social impacts of RCS adoption. Our comparative analysis addresses RCS’s strengths and limitations relative to SMS, MMS, and popular OTT platforms, focusing on interoperability, regulatory compliance, and data security as key adoption challenges. Additionally, we investigate RCS’s role in advancing business communication through A2P messaging and its potential for conversational commerce, especially when integrated with AI-driven chat-bots and personalized customer engagement tools. Findings reveal that while RCS holds promise for creating a secure, feature-rich messaging ecosystem, overcoming regulatory and technological hurdles is essential for realizing its full potential. This research provides actionable insights for industry stakeholders and highlights strategic pathways for expanding RCS adoption within a rapidly evolving digital landscape.