Google takes RCS rollout into its own hands after carriers totally botch it

In the wake of carrier delays and missteps, Google has decided it’s taking the reins when it comes to the future of phone messaging and RCS. The Verge is reporting that Google will be spinning up its own RCS/Chat services later this month for users in the UK and France, with support coming to other areas “throughout the year,” though there is no firm timeline or list of markets.

Google’s RCS system will reportedly be opt-in, with a prompt appearing to enable the feature in Android Messages for those in supported markets. It will also work with any phone that supports the RCS Universal Profile. Best of all, folks in supported markets won’t have to wait on carriers to roll out support for RCS, Google’s solution will work on compatible devices independently.

Opt-in message at least one of our readers received on an O2 MVNO in the UK.

Google can circumvent the carriers when it comes to RCS and messaging because of how RCS works, using a decentralized, “point-driven” federated…