Japan has confirmed its status as the world's most enthusiastic RCS market with the confirmation of more than 30m users.

RCS is sometimes called SMS 2.0. It's the next-generation rich messaging service that is backed by the world's mobile network operators. RCS is significant because it offers similar rich functionality to WhatsApp, Apple Business Chat and other OTT messaging apps, but is pre-loaded on handsets as a default option.

Despite the 'universality' of RCS, roll out has been patchy with some markets more enthusiastic than others. Japan has a claim to be the world's most advanced RCS territory, since all MNOs are signed up to the channel.

Now Synchronoss Technologies, a backend provider of RCS to the Japanese market, has confirmed 32.5 million subscribers of +Message. This is the RCS service it powers for NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, and SoftBank. The milestone represents a 62 per cent increase in subscribers since November 2020.

“The adoption of more than 30m +Messaging subscribers in Japan further validates the value of RCS and how mobile operators can utilize it to offer new revenue-generating services,” said Yosuke Morioka, General Manager, Japan, at Synchronoss.