SK Telecom (017670.KS), KT (030200.KS), and LG Uplus (032640.KS), Korea's three major mobile carriers, announced Monday that they have officially launched RCS business messaging services for iPhone users.
RCS is a messaging service that enables longer text transmission and high-resolution file sharing compared to traditional SMS and MMS.
Previously available only on Android devices, RCS was expanded to iPhone users for personal use in September last year. The business messaging service has now transitioned to full service following an open beta period.
With the official version, the RCS business messaging experience on iPhone has improved. Previously, long-form messages sent by businesses were displayed in truncated form, reducing readability. Now, text-only messages without buttons are delivered in full without omissions.
Recipients can also verify brand profiles when receiving messages from businesses. When a brand is registered with the RCS Biz Center, the brand logo is automatically displayed with messages, enhancing recipient trust. Companies can access statistical data on customer responses, including message click rates, enabling more precise marketing analysis. Affordable image template products compared to traditional text services are expected to allow small and medium-sized enterprises and startups to utilize various marketing images without financial burden.
RCS business messaging can be sent not only to customers of the three major carriers but also to budget carrier subscribers. Messages can be received while customers are roaming, allowing business messages to reach recipients anywhere domestically or internationally. Currently, the number of RCS users in Korea stands at approximately 42 million.