BroadSoft Introduces BroadCloud RCS

Following on the heels of its UC One press release BroadSoft announced the addition of Rich Communications Services (RCS) to its BroadCloud Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. BroadCloud is a white label component of UC One - a core communication platform consisting of network software, cloud services and user experience applications:

• BroadWorks is the core component of the BroadSoft platform. It includes application server software hosted by a service provider (SP) for delivery of integrated call processing, IP PBX and enhanced UC services
   
• BroadCloud is a complementary component offering white label cloud services for a cloud platform hosted by BroadSoft Services and resold by the SP. This cloud-based hosted infrastructure enables an SP to quickly take to market branded UC services and applications
   
• BroadTouch is the user experience component offering a suite of intuitive end user applications that provide a unified and familiar experience across both fixed and mobile devices. All BroadTouch applications can be deployed using a unified "one-number" experience for voice, video, and messaging services.

The addition of RCS to BroadCloud is positioned as providing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with managed service delivery of converged messaging, presence, media sharing, voice and video calling. But what is RCS and RCS-e (Rich Communications Suite-enhanced)?

RCS has emerged as a means of enhancing and streamlining available communication options for today's mobile subscriber. Global System Mobile Association (the Mobile Operator's global trade association) owns the RCS Program which promotes the implementation of rich communications utilizing RCS-e (RCS-enhanced) services among MNOs. RCS is not just a suite of services - it is a platform for all future communications in an IP world. RCS and Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) will share the same IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) investment and leverage the same IMS capabilities. The intrinsic capability of IMS means that it enables the key differentiators of future voice and messaging services for operators.

RCS provides is structure to provide compelling, next-generation communication features that let mobile users connect in new ways. Much of the RCS focus to date has been on consumer use. However, for businesses of all sizes, this solution can provide the increased security, reliability, and quality of service (QoS) that commercial and industrial environments require, while effectively supporting BYOD initiatives. Further, exposing RCS-e features and services through open and secure interfaces such as APIs can enhance a wide range of business processes.

RCS Version 5 adds presence information for each contact, including current status, location, and available services. In addition, this iteration provides backward compatibility with SMS and MMS, enabling RCS users to communicate with any mobile phone, regardless of whether the device has RCS capabilities. Version 5 also extends RCS functions to tablets and PCs to enable subscribers to move from one device to another during a conversation. Combined, these features can dramatically enhance the communication efforts of the always-on, increasingly mobile workforce.

Bottom line - RCS and RCS-e enable interoperable enriched communication between a broad range of mobile and other IP devices and networks. With a managed service delivery model, BroadCloud RCS speeds time-to-market, reduces deployment costs and integration complexity.

What This Means to You

To Customers: RCS-e brings MNOs the opportunity to leverage key assets and capabilities to deliver high quality and innovative communications services. These developments will strengthen their relationship with their customers and add the ability to increase the revenue opportunity from advanced personal communications by offering services customers really want.

In fact, mobile phones were available for initial commercial deployment as of this past summer. RCS-e development activities are supported by nine of the top 10 handset vendors, participating in technical trials and market pilots with pre-commercial versions of RCS-e clients. The handset industry is well positioned to handle rapid mass-market rollouts of compatible handsets.

The key requirement for interested MNO's is the availability on an IMS platform, which RCS-e services require as specified by the 3GPP and adopted by major industry standardization bodies for mobile and fixed networks. BroadCloud RCS, however, may be deployed in either IMS or non-IMS network environments. For non-IMS networks, BroadSoft provides the required IMS functionality as an integral part of the managed BroadCloud RCS solution. By providing a cloud-based delivery model for RCS, BroadSoft extends its Telephony Application Server (TAS)/VoLTE platform to provide comprehensive IMS application layer support in global IMS deployments. This provides MNO's with ability to deliver the RCS user experience quickly and cost effectively, while retaining the flexibility to migrate to IMS at any time.