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RCS - Rich Communication Services is being called the future of business messaging in India. It combines the reach of SMS with the rich media capabilities of WhatsApp, all delivered natively through the default Messages app on Android phones. No app download required.
With Google and major Indian telecom operators actively pushing RCS adoption, 2026 is the year Indian businesses need to understand and leverage this channel. This guide covers everything from what RCS is to how you can launch your first RCS campaign in Mumbai.
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a next-generation messaging protocol developed by the GSMA that upgrades the standard SMS/MMS experience. Think of it as SMS 2.0 it works over mobile data or Wi-Fi and supports:
Images, videos, GIFs, carousels
Quick replies, CTAs, URL buttons
Brand logo, name & verified badge
Interactive conversations
Know when message was read
Share store/delivery locations
| Feature | RCS | Bulk SMS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Required | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Rich Media | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Verified Brand Sender | ✅ Yes | Partial | ✅ Yes |
| Works on 2G/No Data | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| iOS Support | ✅ (iOS 18+) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Carousel Messages | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Relative Cost | Medium | Low | Medium-High |
India is one of the fastest-growing RCS markets globally. Here's what's happening right now:
Send product catalogues as swipeable carousels with "Buy Now" buttons. Send order confirmations with tracking links, delivery images, and rating buttons all in one message.
Send transaction alerts, loan approvals, and credit card statements with your verified bank logo and brand name increasing trust and reducing phishing concerns.
Send appointment reminders with "Confirm", "Reschedule", and "Cancel" quick reply buttons reducing no shows and improving patient communication.
Replace flat promotional SMS with visually rich campaigns full-screen branded banners, product images, discount codes, and "Shop Now" CTAs that drive 3–5x higher click rates than plain SMS.
Your business must be verified by Google for RCS Business Messaging. This involves submitting your business details, logo, and description. InfyReach Connect handles this process for you.
Create an RCS "Agent" your verified business profile on RCS. Define your brand name, logo, welcome message, and menu options for two-way interactions.
Design your RCS message templates carousels, rich cards, or simple text with buttons. Our team helps you create templates that comply with Google's content policies.
Send your first RCS campaign and track delivery, opens, and button click rates in real time. RCS provides much richer analytics than plain SMS including read receipts and interaction tracking.
InfyReach Connect offers end-to-end RCS setup — brand verification, agent creation, template design, and campaign management for Mumbai businesses.
Mumbai-based Messaging Experts
We help Indian businesses launch RCS, Bulk SMS, WhatsApp API, and SMPP messaging campaigns with full compliance support.
Get brand-verified RCS messaging setup for your business in Mumbai.
RCS Services +91 88 7979 2989