For years, India’s business messaging ecosystem has revolved around DLT-approved SMS. But the landscape has changed dramatically. The rapid rise in spam, phishing, and messages sent from unverified numbers created an urgent need for stronger controls. In response, TRAI introduced strict regulations, mandating verified sender IDs, enforcing template approvals, and establishing the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) registry to ensure every message is authenticated, tracked, and secure.
While these measures have helped clean up the SMS market, they have also highlighted a bigger shift underway. Over the past decade, the government has been pushing the digital India movement and making processes online to ensure transparency and keep records of everything. As a result of this and increased penetration of smartphones and the internet across urban and rural regions of India. This evolution has paved the way for the next leap in business communication, i.e., RCS Messaging Service (Rich Communication Services).
RCS brings app-like experiences directly into the native messaging inbox, rich media, buttons, carousels, verified sender IDs, and real-time engagement, all features designed specifically for smartphone users. With its secure, interactive, and visually appealing format, RCS is emerging as the future of business messaging in India. Read our detailed blog to understand why RCS messaging is called the next-gen SMS and the future of business communication in India.
How RCS Transformed Business Messaging in India
1. Rich, App-Like Interactions
Unlike plain text SMS, RCS allows businesses to send:
- High-resolution images
- GIFs and videos
- Carousels
- Quick-reply buttons
- Suggested actions (call, map, visit website)
This turns messaging into a full-fledged user experience, similar to an app, without the user
needing to download one.
2. Verified Sender IDs
RCS doesn’t just display a short sender ID but a proper brand name for senders.
Every RCS message displays:
- Verified business name
- Logo
- Brand colors
This builds trust and boosts click-through rates.
3. Higher Engagement and Conversion
- Rich content = better user attention.
- Buttons = faster action.
- Trusted IDs = more clicks.
Brands globally report 3–5x higher engagement with RCS messages compared to Bulk
SMS.
4. Real-Time Insights
Unlike SMS, which offers limited delivery reports, RCS provides:
- Read receipts
- Click tracking
- Interaction analytics
This helps businesses optimize their campaigns with precision.
5. Supports Two-Way Conversations
RCS enables conversational flows, ideal for:
- Customer support
- Lead qualification
- Appointment booking
- Feedback collection
It brings chat-like engagement into the default messaging app.
Why RCS Is Perfect for the Indian Market
1. Smartphone Penetration Is Rising
India now has hundreds of millions of smartphone users, most relying on data rather than
SMS packs. RCS fits naturally into this trend.
2. DLT Fatigue for Businesses
Many businesses feel restricted by:
- Template approvals
- Scrubbing delays
- Frequent rule changes
RCS reduces this friction with more flexible messaging options.
3. Businesses Want Secure & Verified Communication
With scams and SMS fraud rising, enterprises are shifting toward channels that ensure
brand authenticity. RCS’s verified profiles directly solve this.
4. A Large Part of India’s Youth Lives on Rich Media
Gen-Z and millennials respond far better to visual content than plain text, making RCS ideal
for marketing and engagement.
Popular RCS Use Cases in India
- E-commerce: Order updates, product catalogs, offers
- Banking & BFSI: Secure notifications, KYC reminders, fraud alerts
- Travel: Boarding passes, itinerary updates, seat selection
- Retail: Store offers, loyalty points updates, product showcases
- Healthcare: Appointment reminders, lab reports, follow-up reminders
- Political Campaigns: Citizen engagement, event updates, personalized outreach
Conclusion
As India continues its rapid digital transformation, businesses need messaging channels that
are secure, engaging, and future-ready. While SMS service played a foundational role in
communication landscape of India in the past decade, its limitations and rising compliance
challenges have opened the door for richer, more interactive communication. RCS bridges
this gap perfectly, combining the reliability of SMS with the immersive experience of modern
apps, all within a verified and secure ecosystem.
With smartphone adoption soaring and customer expectations shifting toward visual,
business communication in India. Brands that adopt RCS early will not only stand out but
also build stronger, more trusted relationships with their audiences. To implement this smart
service into your business communication strategy, connect with go2market at 8595080808
FAQs About RCS Messaging
1. What is RCS?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the upgraded version of SMS that supports rich
media, interactive buttons, verified sender IDs, and real-time analytics.
2. Does RCS require internet?
Yes, RCS uses mobile data or Wi-Fi, similar to WhatsApp or iMessage.
3. Does the user need to install a separate app?
No. RCS works inside the phone’s default messaging app (Android Messages).
4. Does RCS work on all phones?
RCS works on most modern Android smartphones. iPhone support is expected soon as
Apple has announced RCS adoption.
5. How is RCS better than SMS?
RCS offers verified branding, rich media, carousels, CTA buttons, read receipts, and higher
engagement, all inside the messaging inbox.
6. Is RCS secure?
Yes. RCS messages come from verified business profiles, reducing fraud, phishing, and
spoofing.
7. Do businesses need DLT for RCS?
No. RCS does not require DLT template approvals like SMS, which reduces delays and
simplifies workflows.
8. Can RCS support two-way conversations?
Absolutely. Users can respond with quick replies or free-form text, enabling conversational
customer journeys.
9. Is RCS expensive?
Cost is slightly higher than SMS but lower or similar to WhatsApp Business API. However,
the higher ROI usually compensates for the difference.
10. How can businesses get started with RCS?
Brands can partner with an RCS provider (like Go2Market, a CPaaS or cloud telephony
platform) to create verified sender profiles and launch interactive campaigns.
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