Singaporean operator StarHub announced this week an extended trial for its rich communications services (RCS) app. In May, the company began the trial for its app that will allow users to share video and photos as well as complete voice calls and send text messages. It expects to officially launch the product before the end of 2014.
Analysis of the trial at Total Telecom (News - Alert) says that the length of the initial trial was not released. At this time, though, it appears to be going strong with greater than 50 participants actively testing the new software. Chan Kin Hung, senior vice president of mobility at StarHub, commented on the necessity for companies to adapt to their customers' needs.
"As communication evolves, mobile operators must adapt and deliver services that are relevant to customers," Hung said. "Being an innovative mobile operator, we are eager to give our customers first dibs on exciting new ways to stay connected with family and friends, be it enriching text and calls with images and videos over RCS or enjoying 4G HD voice conversations on our nationwide 4G network.”
Hung continued by saying that the trial will help StarHub test the product in a fashion that will help it deliver a quality product to its customers. Part of the process includes testing the app on a GSM network. For this, StarHub is working with China Mobile (News - Alert) to ensure compatibility between RCS and GSM.
StarHub reportedly intends to join the worldwide market for RCS that is now available in 27 countries. Additionally, 87 other known operators have committed to launching RCS products by the end of 2015. If StarHub can complete its testing and launch its own product by the end of this year, it should place them in a good position to get a jump on the competition. The new, developing communications service seeks to enhance both internal and external communications capabilities for businesses of all sizes. RCS was developed by the GSM Association, a group of greater than 800 mobile operators and related companies in more than 200 countries across the globe.
Edited by Alisen Downey