AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon form messaging joint venture
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AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon form messaging joint venture

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AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have created a joint venture called the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI) to deliver next-gen messaging for both consumers and businesses.

"People love text messaging for a reason. Texting is trusted, reliable and readily available—which is why we're using it to build the foundation of a simple, immersive messaging experience," said David Christopher, executive vice president and general manager, AT&T Mobility. "This service will power new and innovative ways for customers to engage with each other and their favourite brands."

Based on GSMA’s rich communications service (RCS) standard, the service will create a more engaging way for consumers to interact and transact with each other and businesses.

"At the Un-carrier, customers drive everything we do, and that's no different here," said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile. "Efforts like CCMI help move the entire industry forward so we can give customers more of what they want and roll out new messaging capabilities that work the same across providers and even across countries."

To enable the service, the CCMI joint venture is working to develop and deploy the standards-based, interoperable messaging service starting with Android and it is expected to be ready by 2020. 

Once completed, the CCMI service will create a number of benefits:

  • Drive a robust business-to-consumer messaging ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of Rich Communications Services (RCS)

  • Enable an enhanced experience to privately send individual or group chats across carriers with high quality pictures and videos

  • Provide consumers with the ability to chat with their favourite brands, order a rideshare, pay bills or schedule appointments, and more

  • Create a single seamless, interoperable RCS experience across carriers, both in the U.S. and globally

"At Verizon, our customers depend on reliable text messaging to easily connect them to the people they care about most. Yet, we can deliver even more working together as an industry," said Ronan Dunne, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group. "CCMI will create the foundation for an innovative digital platform that not only connects consumers with friends and family, but also offers a seamless experience for consumers to connect with businesses in a compelling and trusted environment."

Nominations are now open for the Messaging and SMS Awards. The deadline for submissions is Friday 1st of November, so get your entries in now! 

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